Police probe cop, cabbie fight

A St Ann-based policeman could be in trouble with the force's disciplinary body after he was captured on video fighting with a man believed to be a robot taxi operator on the weekend.

Head of the Inspectorate of Constabulary, Assistant Commissioner of Police Wray Palmer, told THE STAR that he learned of the now viral video on Monday, and he has ordered an investigation.

Heard shouting

The three-minute amateur footage, captured in St Ann's Bay, shows the officer forcing himself on to the driver's seat, while it was still occupied by the driver, who was attempting to drive off.

A large crowd had gathered around to witness the brawl, and some could be heard shouting at the lawman, chastising his behaviour.

After much pushing and shoving inside the car, both men alighted from the vehicle, where the physical altercation escalated with them throwing punches at each other.

Several other officers who were trying to control the crowd, eventually parted the fight. The driver then jumped into his car and sped off to the cheers of onlookers.

Investigation

Palmer told THE STAR that he would not comment on the video before the investigation is complete.

"We don't want to share something now and the investigation is saying something else. I will allow the investigation to go on and we will take it whereever the evidence directs," he said.

He added that the investigation should be completed shortly as the parties involved are not difficult to locate.

"It shouldn't be very difficult, but sometimes it doesn't go as smoothly as we'd want it to go," Palmer said. He did not indicate if either of the parties intended to press charges against the other.

The video has sparked a debate online with some siding with the officer, while others called his behaviour an embarrassment to the force.