Police probe torture of teen with scotch tape, pepper

The Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the alleged torture of 19-year-old businessman at the Whim Police Station.

Jamal Hakim of Ankerville, Port Mourant, Berbice, told the media that on July 20th, he was savagely beaten and almost died after officers tortured him.

They accused him of snatching a gold chain.

Police in a statement on Sunday said “as a consequence (of media reports) and based on the visible injuries seen (on the teen) and the police at the station version of the events, a Senior Officer and a team from the Office of Professional Responsibility at Police Headquarters, has been dispatched to ‘B’ Division with instruction to take over and complete the investigation.”

Hakim had told News Room that his head was placed in a container of water. He further alleged that the same policeman then placed a plastic bag over his head, put pepper in his mouth and sealed it with scotch-tape.

Hakim, who retails household items for a living, told News Room that he was kept in custody for 72 hours and subsequently transferred to the Reliance Police Station where he was charged with Larceny on Tuesday, July 24 and released on self-bail.

The Force said any allegation of that nature will be thoroughly investigated, as has happened in the past.