By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN is pursuing legal action after a high-ranking male police officer in plain clothes allegedly punched her in the eye - leaving her unable to see through her left eye.
The punch resulted in Latique Perpall having a detached retina. It is not determined yet if she has been permanently blinded in that eye.
She identified the officer to The Tribune as an assistant superintendent of police.
The 29-year-old said her ordeal started on Friday when the officer made a lewd comment to her.
“I was walking coming from ordering my food and someone came up behind me and told me ‘Your p---- fat’.”
“I was like mister who the ---- you is and he was like ‘oh carry your fat p----’. So I start to argue back with him. I tell him ‘Oh no carry your little d---’ so he got mad because people through the corner was laughing.”
Before she went to her yard, a police truck pulled up in front of her yard.
“He point at me and say her lock her up. He say carry her to my station. They carry me to The Grove. When I went there, they start to book me.
“He said ‘ain’t I tell y’all to take her to my station’... bear in mind I still do not know who this man is. I still didn’t even know he was an officer at the time.”
“I was in handcuff. Before I got carried… he yuck me at the police truck, punch me in my eye while I was in handcuff. Then put me back in there and ram my head against the police truck door.”
She went to the hospital on Saturday and remembered being there for almost a whole day. The ambulance came for her from the hospital.
“The doctor told me there’s a hole in my retina of my eye and the bone in my eye is broken – my muscle is wrapped around the bone. Cannot see out my left eye right now. My whole face feels like it numb – swollen.”
Ms Perpall said the situation makes her feel “bad”.
“You have your boyfriend who you love. You have your family – that means you can’t walk nowhere with these man jumping in ear thinking your a prostitute just because you have a nice shape.”
National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said he had not heard complaints of the matter but admitted the officer could be criminally charged if the allegations are found to be true.
He said: “If somebody makes an allegation of police defaulting in their behaviour like that, they have to make a complaint to complaints and corruption. If necessary, the complaints and corruption will show that the matter is bound to be proved – can escalate it to a criminal charge.”
In 2021, the Supreme Court awarded $82,856 in damages to Pedro Morley after a police officer punched him in his mouth, damaging eight of his teeth.
Police Constable Courtney Hall, who The Tribune understood was still on the Royal Bahamas Police Force at the time, pleaded guilty to the allegations when it came before the Police Tribunal.
Comments
mandela 8 months, 1 week ago
The worst gang and bullies, typical reason why no one really likes and willingly supports the police, because of the bad apples in the basket that is rotten to the core. The officer with the little d$$k needs to be fired immediately.
JackArawak 8 months, 1 week ago
Just like the government....zero accountability. What about the officer in Bimini who beat the children....in APRIL.....zero accountability and endless "investigations"
IslandWarrior 8 months, 1 week ago
The ongoing history of abuse and police killings of innocent people in the Bahamas is not just disappointing; it's infuriating and absolutely unacceptable. It is an outrage that those entrusted with protecting our communities have, in some cases, become perpetrators of violence and injustice.
These heinous acts stain the reputation of law enforcement, erode trust in our institutions, and cause immeasurable pain and suffering to the victims and their families. We will not stand idly by while innocent lives are taken, and justice is denied.
It is high time for a radical transformation within our law enforcement agencies. The culture of impunity that has allowed these abuses to persist must be obliterated. We demand a thorough and unrelenting investigation into every case of abuse and killing by the police.
We, the people of the Bahamas, will not be silenced. We will rally for justice, transparency, and accountability. We will fight to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their background or beliefs, can live without fear of police violence. This is not just disappointment; this is a fire that will burn until justice is served and the rights and dignity of every Bahamian are safeguarded.
ThisIsOurs 8 months, 1 week ago
This is SUPER frightening and the tired old "I havent seen a complaint" from the Minister of National Security is totally inadequate
For what reason would a senior police officer need a woman with a "nice shape" whom he'd made unsolicited sexually explicit comments to, who'd rejected his advances, he'd apparently had arrested without cause then VIOLENTLY assaulted in public, for what possible reason would he need this woman totally under his control at "his" station where he had the power over everybody and nobody would be found to give an account of what transpired behind the closed doors of the station? What is this???? This is outrageous.
This is not ordinary. This man is a psychopath who should not be allowed near anyone, criminal or not, who's detained by the law in some private space.
This story gives some real insight into how "some" men act when their sexual advances are denied and also demonstrates that possession of high office exempts nobody from lizard brain syndrome and displays of of violence. Imagine what this mans wife endures.
ThisIsOurs 8 months, 1 week ago
The comment from National Security should have been, this is a serious allegation and we are interviewing the officer in question and persons in the neighbourhood right now
This cabinet "reset" bring back in the same old nonsense
IslandWarrior 8 months, 1 week ago
Title: Unveiling a Culture of Abuse and Corruption: Demanding Accountability in the Royal Bahamas Police Force
Recent events have once again shone a harsh spotlight on the deeply troubling issues of abuse and corruption within the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The Bahamian people have endured a long history of alleged misconduct by some members of law enforcement, and it is high time that we confront this issue head-on.
From the harrowing accounts of excessive use of force to reports of rampant corruption, the evidence paints a grim picture of a police force that has lost sight of its duty to protect and serve. We, the Bahamian people, deserve better. We deserve a police force that upholds the laws of our nation with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The list of international reports and organizations that have highlighted the systemic problems within the Royal Bahamas Police Force is extensive. From the 1993 U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices to the Amnesty International Report in 2001 and beyond, the recurring theme is clear: a lack of trust in the police and judicial system, allegations of abuse, and concerns about racial profiling and discrimination.
In 2013, the Bahamas witnessed six tragic deaths reportedly at the hands of the police in disputed circumstances. These incidents cannot be ignored or brushed aside. They demand a thorough and impartial investigation to bring justice to the victims and their families.
It is high time for the Bahamian government and law enforcement authorities to take immediate action. We demand:
Transparency: We call for full transparency in all investigations related to allegations of abuse and corruption within the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The Bahamian people have a right to know the truth.
Accountability: Those found guilty of misconduct must be held accountable for their actions. No one should be above the law, especially those tasked with upholding it.
Reform: We urge the government to implement comprehensive reforms within the police force to address the root causes of these issues. This includes improving training, enhancing oversight mechanisms, and fostering a culture of respect and integrity.
Community Engagement: Law enforcement agencies must actively engage with communities to build trust and foster positive relationships. Policing should be a collaborative effort between the police and the communities they serve.
Justice for Victims: We demand justice for all victims of police abuse and misconduct. Their voices must not be silenced, and their rights must be protected.
The time for change is now. We stand united as Bahamians, calling for an end to the culture of abuse and corruption within our police force. Our country deserves a police force that reflects the values of justice, fairness, and respect for all its citizens. Together, we can work towards a safer and more just Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 8 months, 1 week ago
Let's watch to see if the media acts as if it didnt happen like in the Cornish matter, initial allegation, same level of violence and male aggression, then nothing
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