KINGSTON, Jamaica—Two law enforcement officers from Jamaica’s police force have been formally charged with assault following a violent incident involving a handcuffed civilian at the Highgate Police Station in St. Mary. The accused, identified as Corporal Brown and Constable Murphy, face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The case emerged from an extensive investigation conducted by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which culminated in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) recommending criminal charges. Despite the officers’ denial of any misconduct during questioning, both medical documentation and an eyewitness account substantiated the victim’s allegations of being struck in the face while restrained.
Following the altercation on September 1, 2023, the complainant received medical treatment and was later released on bail. During a recent court proceeding, both officers were granted bail set at $200,000 each as their case progresses through the judicial system.
This incident occurs amid increased scrutiny of police conduct in Jamaica. Indecom reports that since January 2024, a total of 54 law enforcement personnel have been charged with various offenses following commission investigations. The breakdown includes 28 officers charged in 2024 and an additional 26 facing charges in 2025.
Notably, Corporal Brown has encountered previous legal troubles, having been charged on September 17, 2025, for wounding with intent in a separate case earlier this year.