Outcomes - Selected Case Summaries
Categories
Unprofessional Conduct
Investigation | 17 April 2019
Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS)
A man complained that a police officer at the Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) demonstrated unprofessional conduct by name-calling and issuing a ticket for a parking obstruction. The officer was directing traffic at ORIA and was allowing cars to double park in the airport drop off area to help ease the heavy traffic volume. The complainant yelled at the officer telling him that he was not doing his job properly and making other negative comments because the complainant’s vehicle was temporarily blocked by another vehicle which prevented him from leaving. During the heated exchange the officer called the complainant a “jackass”. The complainant got out of his car to record the compliant officer’s badge number. The officer directed the complainant to return to his vehicle because he was blocking other vehicles. The complainant refused and the officer issued a ticket for obstructing traffic.
The Ombudsman found the officer’s conduct contravened the RCIPS Code of Ethics, because he used disrespectful language and failed to demonstrate respect and courtesy. However, the Ombudsman found that the officer had a lawful right and was acting within his authority to issue the ticket. She recommended customer service training for the officer which was accepted by the Commissioner of Police; the officer has received the training.