Being a policeman is a dangerous job. It, however, becomes way more risky when one has to protect himself from other cops.

One cop, Johnfound this out the hard way and is now nursing injuries, including a broken hand, when he was attacked by other policemen recently after identifying himself as a lawman.

The 13-year member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, who is a detective constable attached to the Organised Crime Division, shared his story with THE STAR and is furious yet embarra**ed to say the least.

According to him, two Wednesdays ago, he was heading towards Portmore, St Catherine, from Spanish Town when he came upon a group of Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) policemen.

Spot check

They signalled him to stop and he complied, after which one of the policemen declared that they were conducting a spot check.

Despite the simplicity of the exercise, however, he was 'roughed' up and ordered out of his vehicle in what he says was an abusive way. "One a dem seh, hey bwoy pull ova and come out a di car," John said.

Amazed by the manner in which he was told to exit his vehicle, John said he replied, "Me a nuh nuh bway, unnu mus know how fi deal wid people."

He then decided to reveal his identity and presented his identification card.

However, as he handed over the card to one of the policemen, another intervened, took it and threw it away before saying, "Hey bwoy yu nuh hear mi seh come out, yu coulda be diprime minister, yu ago come out today."

At this point, John said he was still sitting in his vehicle and amazed by the way in which his fellow co-workers were acting.

Little did he know the worst was yet to come.

Slapped in the face

His decision to stay inside his car did not go well with the group of ISCF cops as he claimed he was then hit with a rifle on his hand, punched and even slapped in the face.

This, he admitted, immediately led him to think of defending himself.

"While all a dis a gwaan mi si dung pon mi gun and a think if mi fi rise it eno ... mi kno seh di three a wi woulda dead," he said.

Deciding to keep a calm head, John said he decided to call the control centre and a close friend (also a cop) to beg for help.

But di 'abusive' cops were not done yet, they still wanted John out of the car.

"Afta all a dat dem still a seh dem waa search di car ... . One a dem start walk roun di car and a look inside and realise seh all this time mi did si dung pon mi gun," said John.

When help finally arrived, John said he drove to the Portmore (Hundred Man) Police Station in where he saw a senior officer with his identification card.

Justice is served

After explaining what had occurred earlier, the officer demanded a statement. He did so and subsequently made a report to the Complaints Division last Monday.

Checks by THE STAR confirmed that a report was made and investigations into the incident are under way.

Meanwhile, John says the incident has left him hurt in many ways and he will not stop until justice is served.

He now faces the probability of having to do an operation on his broken hand which he claims a doctor had confirmed resulted from the impact of the rifle which was used to hit him.

His hand is in a cast and his mouth and face swollen. He has a *lo**stained shirt which he says is evidence of what happened.

These injuries he says are the least. "Wah hurt me a nuh seh dem broke mi hand eno, a seh a some likkle bwoy dem eno ... when we a fight di struggle out a road dem deh a school," the obviously distressed cop said. "We a crime fighter and if we a police, a how dem would a deal wid a civilian? Me ago tek strong strong action, me a plan fi tek it to the highest level."