Local Government Minister and Member of Parliament for Kingston Western, Desmond McKenzie, is recovering after he was pepper-sprayed during an incident involving police and residents in downtown Kingston on Tuesday.
The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) said McKenzie is doing well and is expected to undergo a precautionary medical consultation. Despite the incident, the party said he has continued carrying out his duties as a government minister and constituency representative.
According to the JLP, McKenzie was affected after a member of the security forces discharged pepper spray during a dispute involving one of his constituents.
The party also said McKenzie remains focused on maintaining positive relations between residents of Kingston Western and the police and expressed gratitude for the messages of support he has received.
Speaking to Nationwide News, McKenzie said he had gone into the community after residents complained that men on their way to work had been mistreated by police.
“When I came, the community was very upset because they are saying men who were going to work were abused by the police,” McKenzie said.
He said he was able to calm residents and allow police officers to continue their operations before walking to speak to a senior cop.
McKenzie said the situation changed while he was speaking with the senior officer.
“The crowd started to gather and everybody started to come in. This young lady said something. I don’t know what she said to the police, but the police attempted to hold her,” he said.
According to McKenzie, the woman then ran behind him as officers moved toward her.
“I simply said to the officer, “Hold on,” and the officer proceeded to pepper-spray me,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Although he criticised the officer’s actions, McKenzie stressed that the incident should not damage the relationship between the police and residents of Kingston Western.
“West Kingston has enjoyed a strong and respectful relationship with the Jamaica Constabulary Force for many years, and I want that relationship to continue. However, incidents like this cannot be ignored or condoned,” he said.
“This is not about me being a Member of Parliament or a Government Minister. I want to be treated as any ordinary Jamaican would be. If I had done something to justify the use of pepper spray, then the police would have had every right to act. But I did not, and I believe there was absolutely no need for pepper spray to be used in those circumstances.,” he said.
McKenzie said the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has been notified and is now conducting an independent investigation.
