West Kingston MP Desmond McKenzie pepper-sprayed by police
Key Points(5)
- Reports are emerging that West Kingston Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie was pepper-sprayed during an incident involving police officers in downtown Kingston on Tuesday morning.
- The incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, reportedly occurred at a police station shortly after 6 a.m.
- Videos shared online show McKenzie rinsing his face with water and milk while several police officers stand nearby.
- In the background, bystanders can be heard shouting, “Dem pepper spray Desmond eye!” The circumstances leading up to the incident have not yet been fully confirmed.
- McKenzie, however, told Observer Online that the incident was “very unfortunate” and should not have happened, arguing that the use of pepper spray was excessive.
Reports are emerging that West Kingston Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie was pepper-sprayed during an incident involving police officers in downtown Kingston on Tuesday morning.
The incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, reportedly occurred at a police station shortly after 6 a.m.
Videos shared online show McKenzie rinsing his face with water and milk while several police officers stand nearby. In the background, bystanders can be heard shouting, “Dem pepper spray Desmond eye!”
The circumstances leading up to the incident have not yet been fully confirmed.
McKenzie, however, told Observer Online that the incident was “very unfortunate” and should not have happened, arguing that the use of pepper spray was excessive.
“What took place this morning is very unfortunate, and it should never have happened because there was no need for that level of lethal, I want to call it lethal, because for almost 25 minutes I lost my vision,” he said.
The MP said the incident would not affect his relationship with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), adding that he remained committed to working with the security forces.
Speaking in a statement on social media, McKenzie said he continued to support the work of the police but believed the use of pepper spray against him while carrying out his duties was unnecessary.
“As the Member of Parliament for West Kingston, I remain committed to serving my constituents and supporting the work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. However, I believe the use of pepper spray against me while carrying out my duties was unnecessary,” he said.
McKenzie was among residents of Tivoli Gardens who had gathered following reports of an alleged police shooting in the community.
The MP said he was responding to concerns raised by residents and felt obligated to intervene.
“Everybody knows my position when it comes to dealing with the question of criminal elements, and if something went wrong, it is the right of the police to execute their responsibilities in a professional way,” McKenzie told Observer Online.
He said residents had raised concerns about the handling of a man who was allegedly shot by police.
“But when people complain about a man being shot from before 6:00 a.m. and after 6:00 o’clock, the police still have him on the ground, not taking him to the hospital. As a member of parliament, I could not and I will never allow things like that to pass without intervening,” he said.
