A Grand Bay man, who threatened, intimidated and made use of certain indecent language against a police officer, was fined $1,500 to be settled in three months or face a three-month prison sentence if he fails to do.
Desmond Rock, 23 who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the charges filed against him.
He appeared before a Roseau Magistrate last week.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Jeffrey James told the court that on February 17, 2012 about 9:00 pm, Corporal Norman Alexander was on duty at Grand Bay when he met Rock standing outside a disco where a strong scent of marijuana came from where he and other men were standing.
When confronted, he insulted the officer and he was warned to conduct himself in a proper manner.
Rock then put his hand in the officer’s face and threatened him.
The officer became fearful and arrested Rock for threat, intimidation and indecent language.
He was transported to the Grand Bay police station then later to the Police Headquarters in Roseau.
While on the police vehicle he kept on saying, “You think I fraid you”.
Rock’s attorney, Wayne Norde, told the court that his client have pleaded guilty, is very remorseful and did not waste the court’s time.
He said also that at the time of the incident Rock was still young and was sorry he said those words to the officer.
“The good thing is you didn’t resist police…I will take into consideration that you are young and pleaded guilty. You are remorseful,however you cannot go around intimidating police and threatening them,” magistrate, Bernard Pacquette, warned.
There was no separate penalty on the charge on indecent language, while on the charge of intimidation Rock was told to keep the peace for one year or he will be charged $2,500.
Desmond thinks that he is the baddest in TeteMorne (Grandbay). And he is the kind off person to do something like that knowing him. Sometimes you just cant feel sorry for these young guys who thinks that they are the baddest on God’s earth because they can beat down a few people and do drugs.
Its time some of them learn to behave themselves and respect people.
…”where a strong scent of marijuana came from where he and other men were standing”.. WICKED and MISCHIEVOUS babylon.
To all of you who say “respect”……this police does not deserve it. He does not respect people who smoke marijuana.
Te bwai ou toe sort.
Why the hell did he plead guilty to this charge? It is only in Dominica this nonsense could ever take place.
I live in the UK; and if such a charge was brought before a court in the UK, this man’s defence lawyer would be asking the police officer for the physical evidence to back up this charge and for any witness/witnesses evidence to be made available.
Was there any witnesses when this allegation was made? Was the witnesses evidence presented in court.
The police officer said he smelt marijuana. But did he actually see the accused in possession of and smoking marijuana?
This case seem to highlight the ongoing culture that exist in Dominica, where a lot of people are charged by the police based on their words against the word of the accused.
This is not sufficient grounds to convict an accused based on the words or statement of a police officer.
There are alot of corrupt police officers who has secret agendas and motives. Alot of them will pick on citizen who do not have a clue about their rights.
It is about time that Dominica get up to date with the rest of the modern world and banish these antequated and premitive practices that exist within the system of policing.
Finally I shall repeat: HOW THE HELL CAN YOU CONVICT A MAN SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF ONE MAN’S WORD AGAINST ANOTHER? WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE & WITNESSES? This is absurd and totally wrong.
Such a case in the UK would have been thrown out, and the police would have come in for some severe and brutal ridicule and criticism from the general public and media. NUFF SAID
He is a bold person and out of his mind to put his fingers in the police face and also tell the police, “You think I ‘fraid you?” It is serious but laughable (at him) that someone would have the audacity to speak in such a manner to the police. I shook my head and laughed.
I am wondering if he was under the influence of marijuana. Otherwise, he could be deemed a mad man who obviously has something wrong with his brains and who needs to see a psychiatrist.
Did he not think that the police would have arrested him? He is not a smart man. If he could have stated that to the police, what would he not state to others? I do think he should just have been given a prison sentence to teach him a lesson. This could have changed his attitude. Having to pay the fine, I hope he learns a lesson.
This is a good one i have for you THE FACTS,read this in addition to what you have posted ,you say this man has audacity.There was once 2 females who entered a Police Compound fully fenced meaning they trespassed,assaulted Police Officer,used insulting language and lied to the Management of the Police Force.Thats audacity and the pulled it off too.What a shame on the Police,people still laughing them not in their faces.Thanks God thats not so here,cause he was arrested and charged and sent to the court of law because of his lack of respect for Police.
Oh and congrats to the Serg. James on this assisgnment.
No matter what, I have great respect for the police. It goes without saying they are Law Enforcement and you do not mess around with them. It is obey or else.
Where I reside, if I see them in the vicinity and they are close by, I speak to them. Sometimes I make a joke and say: “Are you looking for me?” We get a good laugh.
I also say, “If everyone were like me…” The response would be, “We would not have a job.
There are times I could be a curious person. If per chance I see them parked nearby and there may have been an accident or some other incident, I talk to them and ask them what happened. There are other times if I see them in a Mall patrolling, I say to them, “Am I happy to see you.” Or I will simply say, “Hi Officer(s)!”
Two against one? I cannot understand how the women could have pulled this off. If there was a security camera, could they have pulled it off?
Well, sometimes criminals could embarrass the police and make them a laughing stock. Ever watch the old comedy, Keystone Cops?
By the way, did the women have lawyer representation?
That’s how live has change before time you could not use a bad word in front a officer much less to put your hand in his face.
LOL
Norman was fearful???? really????….
If he was fearful, I think that he would obtain a warrant in the First Instant to have him arrested along with other police officers
i do not think that you all know norman.He is very abusive and ignorant
no disrespect but some of the officers are the same ones sleeping in bed with the drug dealers and the people know them, we need respect we have to show it .
While most of the police are political slaves of Skerrit and the man who dictates to Skerrit, they must NOT be threatened in this way. This Rocque figure believes that he is a BRAWLER, and i am happy that he was fined, and also happy that the police now know the type ofd character he is. If he ie threatening the police in this manner, imagine what he says to the ordinary man.
At shchool he was fighting on a daily basis!
HE BEHAVES AS IF HE IS UNSTOPPABLE!
*****LAW AND ORDER ALWAYS****
“Rock then put his hand in the officer’s face and threatened him”.
……………………………..
We must all have respect for our officers.
It is true that some have no respect for themselves and their profession much less for us. But putting hands in an officer’s face and disrespecting our officers can only get us no where better!!
Law an order must always be maintained.
We must all have respect for each other and this includes everyone.
-Thanks