Police brutality is a form of police misconduct in which officers engage in an excessive use of force. The definition of “excessive use of force” is a bit fluid, but it is generally taken to mean force well beyond what would be necessary to cope with a situation. For example, a police officer who beat a nonviolent protester with a baton would probably be accused of excessive use of force, under the argument that the officer probably could have dealt with the situation much less violently. The tragic death of Oscar Bartholomew allegedly at the hands of policemen attached to the St. David’s Police Station seems to meet the definition of “excessive force”. As with all investigations there is always a degree of doubt and the assumption of a cover-up when the police are asked to investigate themselves. Several nations around the world including Grenada have laws which specifically address police brutality. Under these laws, complaints about excessive use of force must be taken seriously, and investigated by a commission or Attorney General. In fact, as human rights organizations have discovered, many complaints about excessive use of force by police officers are not investigated, and if they are, the finding is usually that the police officer acted appropriately. Only rarely are police subjected to disciplinary action as a result of any investigation of their own by their own. However in the case of Oscar Bartholomew the voice of the people needs to be heard and a thorough investigation should commence immediately. It has been alleged that this police station was embroiled in several cover-ups in the past; specifically a person was detained at the police station house and was later found hanging from a belt in the station’s cell. Many have questioned the veracity of the results of that investigation because items like belts, shoe-laces, neck ties etc are taken from anyone remanded in custody before being placed in a cell. I don't know that there is a textbook definition for "police brutality." It's more of a pejorative term used by people who view any use of force by the police as an unlawful or improper use of force. A better term to describe the behavior normally associated with "police brutality" is "excessive force," when an officer uses more force than is necessary to achieve the desired end, e.g. take someone into custody or repel or prevent an assault. The alleged brutality unleashed on the unsuspecting Oscar Bartholomew was unwarranted and excessive. It is unconscionable to think that a Grenadian national living abroad and then returns to his native land for a visit could meet his death at the hands of the very people who are suppose to protect him. This culture of resentment and disdain that has been developed for unknown reasons against returning nationals that are derogatively called “JCBs” has risen to the level of police hostility towards those of us living abroad. It is a fact that the attitude of the police towards a returning national is far different to that of a local resident of the country. Some police officers and local residents erroneously and foolishly assume that visiting nationals come to Grenada with a “chip on their shoulder” and see the local residents and police as inferior as compared to the country in which they reside; so in retaliation to that assumption they would immediately adapt a defensive attitude and lay in wait for their moment to lash out. I have experienced it, some of my friends have experienced it and it will continue as long as it is not addressed by the country’s leadership. The issue was raised with Foreign Minister Hood in the very early stages of him assuming the role as Foreign Minister but as usual nothing substantial has been done to address this issue and related issues. I was threatened by a female police officer on duty In front of Tropicana Restaurant in August, 2010 while I and my family inadvertently wondered into an area designated for band revelers only. After I apologized to the officer, she snapped at me and said with her hand over her pistol that was strapped to her side, “You do it ahready, so wha you saying sorry for, do it again and you go see wha go happen to you”. I was appalled at the venom and anger in her voice, so I quickly retreated from the scene and secured my family fearing what potentially could have happened if I responded to her. I want to point out that some members of the RGPF who were trained in Jamaica, Barbados, Panama, England and other international and regional countries have performed admirably for the most part. However, many of them have returned to Grenada trying to emulate the reputation of some cops who may have developed a reputation for themselves in their respective countries. Here I invoke the name of the late Randolph Burroughs of Trinidad & Tobago, Renato Adams and “Trinity” of Jamaica, Baptiste, “Sideburns”, Track Suit”, “Ghost Rider”, and “Jim Brown” from Barbados. These cops have distinguished themselves in their respective countries by planting fear in the minds of innocent people. Even though may have solved hundreds of crimes in their tenure as police officers, they have also created a negative view of police officers and that is what some of our own officers tend to emulate. I am sure the RGPF would not forget the loss of its beloved Commissioner Cosmos Raymond who was shot execution style at the hands of then Assistant Commissioner Grafton Bascombe a known corrupt cop from St. Vincent who was brought into the ranks of the RGPF while the reorganization of the force was taking shape following the 1983 demise of the revolution and the subsequent US invasion. I am almost certain that this type of police behaviour is not what the past and present leaders intend to unleash on the people of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. I still believe that the police are there to protect and to serve with courtesy professional and respect. Laws are enacted to prevent deviant behaviors and the police are there to enforce the laws as part of the state machinery. In so doing the objective should not be to instill fear but it should be educate people about the law. If this latest incident does not serve as a wake-up call to the leaders of the country then something is systematically wrong with the way justice is administered in our country. It is known that the police and certain sectors of the society have what can be called incestuous relationships where certain crimes are made to disappear, however it is my feeling that this recent incident must be dealt with according to the letter of the law and let justice prevail. The code of silence that appears to be present throughout most police departments must be broken and the truth must be told. The repercussions of this incident have already penetrated the international news media and therefore in order for Grenada to be looked upon as a place where tourists can visit without fear then justice must be swift and fair. It is also necessary to revisit the training manuals of the RGPF and reassess the psychological training that these cops undergo. A police officer should not immediately instill fear in the minds of unsuspecting people. One must feel safe and secure in the presence of police unless being guilty of a crime or being sought by the police. The call goes out to the Hon. Prime Minister, the Police Commissioner and the other leaders of Grenada to take control of your state machinery and show the world that you are capable of handling a situation especially the one you are now confronted with. People are angry, frustrated, tired and volatile, so please lead from in front because that’s what good leaders do. By Michael T. Vincent