In a significant development that has drawn attention to law enforcement conduct, authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have taken the unusual step of arresting and charging one of their own personnel. Ezran Harper, a 39-year-old police constable with nearly twenty years of service in the tactical Rapid Response Unit, now faces serious criminal charges alongside Damian Harper, a 30-year-old barber from the same community.
The two men stand accused of perpetrating a violent machete attack on Marcus Billy, a 51-year-old resident, during an incident that occurred last Friday in the Langley Park area of Georgetown. According to official charges, the defendants unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm upon Billy by striking him with a cutlass (a type of machete) on his left foot and right hand.
The case has raised questions about police accountability, particularly given Harper’s long-standing service within the specialized tactical unit of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Both accused individuals have been granted station bail pending their scheduled appearance before a magistrate, which is set for Monday. The judicial proceedings will determine the next steps in a case that has highlighted the legal system’s handling of alleged offenses committed by law enforcement personnel.