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Minister Robeson Benn charges police with ‘shakedown’, spiteful arrest

Jun 26, 2008 News

Minister Robeson Benn and his family have indicated their intention to take private action and to review the police methods following what they claim was the violation of their son’s legitimate rights as a citizen.
The Minister issued a statement regarding an incident involving his son, Robeson Benn Jr. and the police on Mandela Avenue, last Friday, while the young man was driving.
According to reports, Benn was pulled over by the Police, and was subsequently handcuffed and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.
He was on Monday charged with disorderly behaviour and placed on $10,000 bail.
According to the statement, the incident was evidently another “shakedown” attempt by some rogue policemen which went awry and degenerated to “road rage” and actual assault on a young man protesting the violation of his legitimate rights as a citizen.
It added that there was no police chase or pursuit and that Benn Jr. did not realize what was afoot and therefore did not stop with alacrity on police driving dangerously close alongside –excepting for noting the dangerous situation they were creating and identifying himself.
The statement stated that the vehicle tinting was approved by a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs but, in any event, the vehicle’s front windows were down so passengers could be easily identified.
“The policemen did not ask for documents, or an explanation, with regards to the vehicle’s tinting on the road or at the station, nor have they asked up to the present time.”
The family is contending that the police assaulted Benn by pushing a cocked and loaded 9mm Glock pistol in his face while he was driving, slamming him twice against his car when he exited the vehicle, on their orders, throwing him bodily into the back of their pickup while he was handcuffed (police driver), and putting their feet over his head while he was being taken to Brickdam Police Station.
According to the statement, the trunk of the vehicle, the interior and seating were maliciously damaged by the said police, in an aggressive search, at Brickdam Police Station, which unearthed nothing.
In addition, the statement noted, some pictures were taken by cell phone camera of the incident on Mandela Avenue. “Robeson and his girlfriend were taunted by the police at the scene and at Brickdam Police Station. Witnesses have, also, come forward with respect to the incident.”
“The Minister was described as “a puss” by a policeman at the scene of the incident.”
The Benns intend to pursue this matter to the fullest extent in the court by private action and by requesting administrative action and procedure reviews of police methods, the statement said.

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