The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said yesterday he is “concerned” about the recent attacks on two police officers in the Family Islands. He called the incidents “unacceptable”.

Dr Nottage said while the potential for being injured on the job is a reality for the police, it is unacceptable for them to be attacked while performing their duties.

“That job that a policeman does is a hazardous job and from time to time they do suffer the consequences of the job that they do. I am very concerned about the question of violence generally, but especially on policemen who are trying to carry out their duties according to the law,” he said.

“We expect people to cooperate with them, but that is not always the case and we have these unacceptable incidents. It is very unfortunate what happened and I am hoping to see both of the injured officers very soon and express my concern.”

The two officers were hospitalized on Friday – one with a gunshot wound and the second with a fractured jaw after being beaten by a group of men. One incident occurred in Exuma, the other in Eleuthera.

The Exuma incident occurred around 6:35pm. Police say officers of the Exuma District were on routine patrol on Queen’s Highway in Hoopers Bay when they saw a man acting suspiciously.


The suspect, wearing a black shirt, with black gloves and a black tam, opened fire when he saw the officers, hitting one of them in the shoulder.

The officer was taken to the George Town Clinic where he is being treated for his wounds.

The suspect escaped on foot. Officers of the Central Detective Unit, along with Exuma police, have appealed to the public to help them find the suspect.

The second incident occurred a few hours later around 10:45pm in Eleuthera.

Police say the officer was at a business establishment on Queen’s Highway in James Cistern when he was attacked by a group of men and hit on his head.

The officer received severe head and facial lacerations and suffered a fractured jaw.

He was taken to the local clinic where his wound required almost 50 stitches.

However, the officer’s condition continued to worsen and at about 1am Saturday, he was airlifted to New Providence where he underwent surgery.

Police have arrested a 38-year-old man of James Cistern, Eleuthera, who is expected to be charged with causing grievous harm.

Investigations are continuing.