St Kitts police investigate incident involving Dominican

The police in St Kitts and Nevis have launched an investigation into an incident in which a police officer was caught on video slamming a Dominican to the ground although he showed no signs of resisting arrest.

The video of the incident, which took place on Christmas Day, has since gone viral on social media with many describing it as a case of police brutality and unnecessary use of force.

In the video, the Dominican, since identified as Nano Junior Greenaway who is living in St Kitts, was seen smashing bottles at a location. Some time later, a police vehicle appeared on the scene with two officers. Greenaway was seen stretching out his hands in an apparent sign of surrender. However, one of the officers approached him and without warning, slammed Greenaway violently to the ground.

This did not go down well with many people on social media and soon after the hashtag #justicefornano began trending.

Under apparent pressure from the public, the Royal St Christopher and Nevis Police Force issued a statement on December 28, saying the matter is now under investigation.

According to the statement, the officer involved is a Police Recruit and given what was seen on the video, there are reasons for the public to be concerned.

“The High Command wants to assure the public that we have well-established protocols and procedures in place for Police Officers to follow when responding to reports and apprehending and arresting suspects,” it said.

The statement said the matter is already being investigated.

“We have already begun looking into the matter and a number of steps have already been taken,” it said, without specifying what steps had been taken. “The Office of Professional Standards has been tasked with investigating the case. The office is responsible for receiving, processing, and supervising internal affairs investigations that involves allegations of acts of misconduct made against members of the Police Force.”

It went on to say that all police officers in St Kitts are there to serve and they do so honorably on a daily basis.

“Where this is not the case, all reports of misconduct will be investigated,” the statement said.

Despite this, many took to social media to query why it took so long for an official response from the police.

“Although I believe this should not take so long because the video is available all over social media including on your page, I will say that’s a good first step. Looking forward to the next step of accountability. That investigation should not take too long. The video is all over,” one person wrote on Facebook.

Other social media users said they were expecting more from the Police High Command.

“What I was expecting is immediate disciplinary action against the officers,” one person wrote. “That includes the senior officer who showed no authority or seniority. So to begin, all the officers should either be sent on leave (unpaid) pending the investigation. As far as I am concerned, this is just an attempt to turn down the heat but we will not relent until the recruit is sent home for good. Someone with such attitude and temperament should not be given such authority.”

Some people believe the matter will go nowhere.

“Good luck with that. I report several police and up until now I can’t get a respond and it’s going for 4 years,” another person wrote.

Meanwhile, in a video posted on Facebook on December 27, Greenaway is seen saying that he is doing 100 percent fine.

“As I know, you guys are praying, you guys are keeping the faith and guess what, everything will be alright because I am alright,” he said. “This is the same Nano all you know and I will always remain the same Nano all you always know.”

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7 Comments

  1. Righteous
    December 30, 2022

    A Police Recruit!! This individual should not be in law enforcement period. Hope the young man is doing well. Someone in law enforcement must be able to show more discipline in this situation.

    One Love Dominican #OLD

  2. December 30, 2022

    Kick that Babylon out immediately because he is evil, he is not ready to serve humanity.
    How would he appreciate that kind of behaviour on his family?
    He is a devil and should not be in the force.
    Do let him stay in the force.
    This is my take on this barbaric behaviour

  3. Jonathan Y St Jean
    December 29, 2022

    @Magway ca, you can remain in your world of lawlessness. There are rules and norms which the police must follow. You are advocating for the police to be the judge, jury and executioner no questions asked. Then why have a judicial system? Pure ignorant opinion.

  4. Magway ca
    December 29, 2022

    Doh go in someone else’s country and do foolishness. Not everybody will accept that in there place.
    At the same time I bet the cop did not know he was a non-national and with the crime rate in st kitts he subdued the guy knowing what could happen if the guy was armed and only PRETENDING to surrender.
    How about hashtag ‘ nano should behave himself in the first place ‘ that’s better.
    We all kno most Caribbean police forces are fed up of nonesense the youth are doing on the street them days

    Maybe if you all behave ur selves in the first place police would not have to come and slam allu delinquent selves on the ground

    Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 17 Thumb down 33
    • Smh
      December 29, 2022

      Seems like you know the full story so kindly inform us. Or are you just ignorant and using this platform to showcase your stupidity? Regardless of the situation, there is never a reason to treat anybody in such a manner. He clearly had no weapon in the moment and stretched out his hand. He didn’t try to resist or attack the officers. People like you are the problem with society. Where is your humanity?

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 5
    • Putin
      December 30, 2022

      Wall, that is the ting…people begin to focus on the policemen’s reaction, which does look extreme, and have not stopped to understand what may have triggered it. A dude smashing bottles in that manner and in public looks like a lunatic acting without concern for the public. Splinters of broken bottles do not announce the direction in which they are flying. So, Officer Brown was proactive.

      Dominicans are soutiweh!

      Hot debate. What do you think? Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6

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