Family of man beaten by cops wants help for medical expenses

THE family of the man who was on Sunday beaten by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is seeking the public’s assistance in covering his medical expenses.

The incident was captured on video.

The 24-year-old man, Romaine Anderson, is scheduled to undergo four computed tomography (CT) scans totalling $178,000.

However, his family members told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that they are unable to come up with the funds.

“We don’t have so much [money] to cover all of it and he really needs to do them because him still a bawl fi pain same way, and especially inna him head,” the man’s sister, Sherian Abrahams-williams, said.

He is expected to undergo scans on his neck, chest, brain and abdomen.

Abrahams was seen in the video, which has since gone viral on social media, descending a flight of stairs. He was being followed closely by the police officers, who appeared to engage him in a heated spat.

Once the parties reached the ground floor of the high-rise building in Denham Town, Kingston, Abrahams and the lawmen walked a short distance before a tussle ensued between him and one of the officers.

Abrahams was then thrown to the ground by the lawman, who was then joined by his colleague. The two rained blows on the young man, before one stomped on his head.

The incident drew the ire of neighbours who screamed at the lawmen in hopes of getting them to stop.

The onslaught was interrupted only when another lawman pulled his colleague away from Abrahams.

“Right ya now mi would a love if mi could a get any help from outside, or anyone. I really need to do this because mi in a lot of pain. Anyone willing to help and contribute, nuh care how small it may be, I would love that,” Abrahams told the Observer.

In the meantime, senior public relations officer at the Independent Commission of Investigations Denyelle Anderson said an investigation has been launched into the matter.

She said Abrahams has filed a formal complaint with the entity.