Drama Outside Court As Prisoners Rock Van
[Updated] There was drama outside the Supreme Court today [Nov 1], as prisoners proceeded to rock the prison van and shout after being brought out of Court.
As with most monthly Arraignment Sessions, a number of prisoners charged with various offences including murder, firearm offences, robbery and more were brought to Court. There was a high presence of armed police officers outside the Court, and the prisoners were escorted to and from Court by the police.
The session ended, and the prisoners were brought out. Some of the prisoners were loaded into one of the prison vans, which began visibly moving and rocking and the inmates could be heard shouting and making lots of noise which grew in volume each time the van door was opened.
An armed police officer approached the Bernews representative to question whether we had taken any photos of him [the officer]. We replied no, however the officer demanded our camera and began flicking through all our photos.
As the group of prisoners continued to shout and try and push the door open, the police officer continued to search through all our old photos. The officer finished searching our camera, confirming for himself that we had not taken a single photo of him, and gave the camera back. By that time, the fracas had ended.
It is unclear why the police singled the Bernews representative out, as they did not seize all media cameras, however it is not the first time the police have taken equipment from the media.
Defendants appearing in this morning’s Arraignment Session included David Jahwell Cox and Devon Hewey who are charged with the murder of James Lawes; Julian Washington who is charged with attempted murder; Ezra Williams, Ezra Ararat, and Zharrin Simmons who have been convicted of assault as well as other defendants.
We believe, but have not confirmed, that ZBM may have captured the entire incident with the prisoners on film, so those interested may want to tune into the TV at 7pm tonight.
Update 7.10pm:The police have stated they are looking into this incident, and remain committed to a healthy working relationship with all media.
Police Media Manager Dwayne Caines said: “The Bermuda Police Service is committed to working the media to ensure that they can do their jobs effectively and responsibly.
“This has been evident by a number of key decisions that have been made in the last two years. One being a meeting with all members of the media to ascertain how we can better work together.
“An inquiry into today’s incident is underway and we are committed to a healthy working relationship with all media.”
As readers will note from past footage, Bernews often films when police are present and the actions of this particular officer are unusual in our experience, and not a representation of the standard media/police relationship.
This is very bizarre.
1) Why was the police officer concerned that a picture might have been taken of him?
2) Why was he evidently more concerned about that than a bunch of prisoners trying to break free from their prison van?
3) What gives him the right to seize a camera from a member of the media and inspect it?
Bernews – maybe an email to the Police Complaints Authority is in order…
I am sure he might have had reasons but come on PROTECT and SERVE gosh. Deal witht he media afterwards. The situation should have been his MAIN issue not the pictures. If so is he going to ask the other media …?
Maybe the police officer’s immigration papers expired and he/she is working illegally.
F*($&#g pigs.
lol Real Bermudian lol
The Commissioner of Police must order an investigation immediately, His own officers have the details,(unless the “officer” was alone) and report back to the public. There is no need for Bernews to write to the Police Complaints Authority!
This fool and others of his ilk, are undermining the good relationship the BPS have with the public.
When things like this starts happening in a country, it brings with it a lot of unrest… A police state has been in the making… What was so private about the officer being in a public place. This country is really sinking.
I agree and I think that police officer in question should be named for all to know and give an account publicly to why he wanted to know if his photo was taken,what did he do or not do that he thought he was cuaght on camera.
The other fact is what the heck are we doing in this high technical day we live in,we had a system installed that was suppose to address this situation where we should not be doing these monthly arrainments in person but ny live streaming them direct from the prison with their lawyers by their sides to direct them if need be.
The Press have a job to do and Bernews should look into the possibilty of bringing this officer up on charges,he is the law that represents us and he needs to remember that there are rights in this country that we the people have the right to know of things of this nature that takes place and especially if this officer over stepped his boundaries and using his powers beyond that which he is suppose to.
Now the next thing is is ZBM going to have their cameras confiscated maybe not but I hope they caught everything and show everything that this officer did not want us to see and damn yes I am making a big deal of this because this officer in my view according to this report was out of order and if we dont get the truth we can plead with the Westgate Rock Ban,because they were probally just rocking the van listening to Reggae that the officers left on the radio for their easy listening.
Bernews keep up the good work and continue on informing us and dont forget check with your lawtes so we can atleast know if you have the right to name the officer.
One step closer to the authoritarian Third World….
Probably because of the comments here on Bernews. The officer in question probably didn’t want to bear the brunt of anger from the community, although Bernews always blurs their faces. They are incompetent and don’t want anyone to see that they are. It doesn’t explain why they singled out Bernews alone though.
probably for the same reason the identities of officers in Mexico are hidden, in case of violent reprisals against them. Just a shame here in Bermuda where they feel the same way..although its complete bs..most likely belonged to the drug squad or gang taskforce…….or another reason is he is a complete prick which could be the case
Wow that is so silly of them. Another media posted a video of the incident, short but long enought to see the rocking and hear the shouting. So sad that they have to act out like this. They have no one to blame but themselves for being in this situation.
just goes to show you it’s all just a big joke to them…………
LOl
Exactly gosh. Guess stirring up things is a good thing for them.
The media have the right to CAPTURE news from any situation therefore the police need to KNOW the LAWS of the land before they start BULLYING their way through incidents!! Secondly maybe brining these CONVICTS (or as some view them – Pecisous darlings) in straight jackects along with spit muzzles!!! Ridiculous group these prisoner they are! Solution let them appear via internet and SAVE tax payers money on staff and gas used to transport them! Arggggghhhhhh! Sick of this soft approach we have in Bermuda!
Police can’t be confiscating ppl’s personal belongings… They don’t have that authority, get familiar with your rights
I clicked on this story to read about the prisoners rocking the van, but it soon becomes clear that the real headline should be “Police officer unlawfully conficates media property”.
They have no right to inspect a camera, it is entirely lawful to take photographs in a public place (where there is no expectation of privacy) – whether the subject is a police officer or not. These actions are exacerbated by the camera belonging to a media organization. The police have no place hindering press reporting. I hope the collar number of the officer in question was noted and that Bernews follows up with a complaint.
As mentioned above by another poster, the officer’s actions additionally constitute a dereliction of duty. He could hardly maintain an adequate guard of the detainees whilst staring at a camera screen. He should have been maintaining observation of the surrounding area – something that ones presumes he was posted to that location to do.
I trust that the officer in question at the very least issued the legally-required Stop and Search paperwork to the Bernews reporter? Please confirm.
None of this appears to be acceptable.
Bernews, please keep us informed.
that’s pretty sketchy. y on earth is he worrying about his face in photos when his concern shoulda been the incident taking place inside that van?
This was not the end of it…the Prison Vehicle and accompanying Police Cars and Vans had the road blocked up by Modern Mart as the Prisoner was still unsettled in the Prison Van. The road was blocked for approximately 20 minutes and the Prisoner escorted to the Police Van.
Tough times.
Bernews has always respected peoples privacy and does so on a dailey bases as can be seen by the previous post of the officer holding an automatic long arm firearm.
Gues he did not want his face on the web.
Get a job as a postman.
I hope the inmates that caused all this gets dealt with. Causing all this unnecessary commotion. It sounded like it was the lady inmates rocking the van …. Can Bernews give more info at this time? I guess whatever happened in court they did not like.
@bernews as a tip in the future make sure your photographers have back up media cards they can quickly replace or a i phone camera or something for back up pics.
2) they could have just told the police officer that we will blur out your face. Similar to when bernews blurred out the license plate of the bmw that got destroyed a few days ago but if you went on *other* website that same day they didn’t blur it out.
3) i guess the photographer just got caught by surprise they tried to do that to a camerman a few years ago and he refused to give up the tape in the camera,
I … am a little disgusted that the Police just stand there and basically ignore what is going on. My solution would have been to squirt a little pepper spray into the van and let them ride back to Dockyard thinking about their actions.
As far as the police officer requesting the camera, it was illegal at best and likely vanity at best.
lennie are you drunk ..?
please write something constructve instead of always slamming the police force. I personnally think they are doing an amazing job considering what they are up against, ie: comments like above. Maybe all of you who seem to have it all together should join the police force then we’ll get some results. stop sprouting off and help find a solution to the violence on this island.
i agree wit you gibbo except i wouldnt say they are doing an amazing job ….but yeah …all of these highly qualified and experienced law enforcement personnel sitting hear running their mouths at full throttle again, maybe need to get off thier a$$ess and do something…how many are prepared to bust down a criminals door a 4am an face possible death ..? YOU..?
And I’m sure u r mate…..smh. The problem is we can’t even defend ourselves against these pricks without facing jail time ourselves because most of us if given the chance will go overboard and end up killing one of these punks for trying to hold us up. The police do nothing but pick on a few instead of the ones who r most dangerous! Point blank.
I couldn’t agree more. Instead of harping on such negative wasteful talk, why not focus on solutions to the real problems facing our country?! The men in our country are killing eachother and it doesn’t seem like its getting better anytime soon. Your efforts could be better served contributing to the positive development and improvement of our country.
Also keep in mind, there’s always 2 sides to a story.
Save the judgement and be an advocate for real change. i
A job for the Media Council. At last!
Hopefully the “officer” in question get’s deported. And they wonder why the whole of Bermuda hates the police.
They had a motorcade escort all the way to Dockyard, telling traffic to move to the side of the road. Weren’t they supposed to have a video link with the court system so the poor children who are only expressing themselves won’t have to come out in public.
Please tell me the reasoning behind the PLP doing away with capitol punishment?? They blamed the UK government, but we are a self governing colony. Why are the terrified of hanging a few hundred pieces of dung??
you gonna hang one of your relatives ..?
@oppressed – You want capital punishment? That’s until it’s one of your family members then what?
Not always slamming the police at all, but some are tired of the things that they do with nothing to stand for. I know I have also noted and spoke about the inmates and questioned their role in the situation. People need to be accountable for their actions. With that being said both the INMATES and POLICE OFFICER have to now answer for their actions in this situation. Don’t play …. Like the Police can do as they please. Geee. We have a voice and it is now being voiced. The question is out there WHY ? This is for both involved. Think on that…
sorry but your voice is not being heard except for us right here …
Where were the guards and cops, surely they all couldn’t be on a tea break and you wonder why these clowns get no respect!
With technology now I think video conference meetings should be done for those certain cases that need to be bought before the judge. to stop situations like this from escalating. This was just a van rocking and then also had to be escorted and caused them to stop as they continued to rock the van while on their way back to the prison. What will it be next time.
Send a formal complaint to the independent police commission or whatever they call it. Demand an answer.
If we are Third World, let’s hear it.
Has anyone seen PATI?
She’s been abducted flown to another country maybe china?………….
LOL
Hey Bernews, I hope you asked for and got his badge number and forwarded that information to his superiors. He probably does not remember that he works for the CITIZENS of Bermuda and not the other way around.
Demand answers from him and his superiors!
stick to ur donuts joey….you think they work for you huh…? hahahaha!! Wake Up and smell the coffee…dont waste time …theres lots for you to learn …
Actually if the van turned over and caught fire and cooked the punks in the van, look at the tax dollars saved with that.
I actually find this whole situation funny….It leaves me to believe that maybe the officer in question did or possibly said something to a prisioner which is why they acted the way they did. maybe the reason why he looked at the pics was to possibly see if it could incriminate him…Food for thought.
As for Gibbo….maybe you are a police officer yourself. But what you have to realize is that not everyone sees themselves as a Police Officer, However those that ARE police officers should be more concerned with a van that could possibly turn over leaving someone hurt than looking into a camera to satisfy his or her needs.
People blame police because sometimes its due. I personally think capital punishment should be brought back and I also believe that we need judges from other countries. Then maybe them the criminals behind bars, and the ones on the street ______ can be tried for the CRIMES they hide everyday.
Why aren’t the prisoners in shackles and handcuffs?
Might stop them from spitting at bystanders, running off, and acting the fool.
Might take the stupid grins off their faces too.
Totally agree!
Rick Rock, are you for real?
Shakles and handcuffs stop people spitting?
Ali Ak Ba……………………..
I think the point is it would change their demenour. Currently they walk out of court like they’re celebrities. Posing, waving, laughing at their Ace Boys. Spitting. Acting like animals in the van.
Treat them like the scum they are. Humiliate them. Make them shuffle into court in shackles, with both hands cuffed. Not cuffed to their co-accused.
In other countries people accused of henious crimes put blankets over their heads so people don’t see them on their way to court. Here they revel in the moment, taking pride in how cool they look. Take the smirk off their stupid faces.
Yea well what u expect…. I was going work coming from west n if u would have seen the police vehicles going west (4 cars loaded with popo n the big task force van) u would have thought they where escorting Obama. Our premier don’t even get that!!! I really thought they where going west to kick in some doors cause they had finally solved a murder. But no the motorcade was for the street celebrities cause that’s exactly how all the attention makes them feel. SMH SAD……..
Bad boys , bad boys , what you gonna do … Go lay down you bunch of fr!ggin bums .
POLICE STATE!!!!!
@Finally…POLICE STATE!! you say..? do you ever wonder why..? jus think about why we are turnin into that Beastial Form of living.
i jus haffa laff…its the only thing to stop me from cryin’… when will u all WAKE UP!instead of rollin’ over an goin’ back to sleep and gurgling out pure un ascertained rubbish…your problem solving abilities are next to nil…jus a lotta hot noise geesh!
oh….and dont worry…jus like the cop u all say didnt have any business lookin’ through the pics….well its none of your business either….rest assured the persons involved will be fully briefed and all will be mended.
Why do these f@%#ts needs a police escort with all these vehicles, you guys are making these fools feel like damn celebrities. Bring their arses to court in one big police arms van and thats it. All this sirens and bikes and cars is really uncalled for quite honestly. The whole island gotta know whats happening, Damn, brainless jerks, think!!!!!!
It will be very interesting to hear what Dwayne Caines has to say in direct response to this action. Bernews, please keep us informed.
WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE GETTIN ON THE COP’S CASE?
If you were surrounded by nasty murderous worthless cockroaches like he was, you would fear for your life. That is why he didn’t want his face on there. Cuz some scumbag would hunt him down. DUH.
I put forward the motion that all such cockroaches be publically executed, so that the VERMIN does not exist here anymore. Instead of PROTECTING the evil, you should remove them from society!
Instead of BLESSING these monsters with $80,000 a year accomodations in the prison system, where they get gyms, KFC chicken, TV, etc, they should be REMOVED.
The legal system is set up to protect the criminals, not the innocent. It punishes the good people and lets the bad ones off repeatedly. This is proven time and time again.
you are so right, i agree with you 100%
KFC is considered a perk???? really?
Cause his an idiot that’s why…… He knew what carreer he was getting into right n he also knew his duties 4 that day right. So do your job babylon or retire n go home. I’m sure they have crime in your country to.
This “officer” was carrying out his duties in public, and anyone with a camera could take pictures if they wished, and many did. Maybe he should have grabbed every camera in sight if he was that scared.
The job comes with risks, and every officer knows what they are signed up for. Additionally, members of the public often see them performing their duties while armed, so what sensible reason could he have for his asinine actions?
He makes it difficult for the competent officers to get and maintain respect from the public, and should be dismissed forthwith!
I thought a new Leader had arrived, what with all the paparazi,and motorcade! these criminals get more protection than the general public!
Why can’t the Judge just to to Westgate and hold court there, it would be a lot safer for everyone involved and less exposure for the inmates.
First of all if u don’t have a solution for the real problem don’t look around to point fingers. Police do not have their photo taken for a reason which is probably not our business. Secondly the real issue is the prisoner rocking the van. Those men have already been caught by police and are now in the custody of prison officers. Why isn’t anybody asking where we’re the prison officers???.?.?.?. Join the police service with all your great ideas or give the information about a murder. Perhaps your past is too shady so if that’s the case shut up.