Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

After nearly two days on the run, Sergeant Patrick Williams, who allegedly fled the scene of a sting operation, turned himself in yesterday at the Anti-Corruption Branch in Kingston.

"He is now behind bars and will be questioned tomorrow (today)," head of the Anti-Corruption Branch, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Felice, told The Gleaner yesterday. "He gave himself up about 11 this (Wednesday) morning, accompanied by his attorney."

Felice added: "We will have discussions with the director of public prosecutions before he is charged. Based on what he has done, he is likely to be charged with breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act and assault."

Felice said Sergeant Williams, who is attached to the Police Traffic Headquarters, Kingston, was observed accepting a bribe from a taxi driver during a sting operation on East Queen Street, downtown Kingston, Monday afternoon.

This was after the sub-officer had stopped the taxi driver on Hagley Park Road and threatened to prosecute him for carrying excess passengers. It is alleged that the sergeant requested $20,000 to reverse his decision. An arrangement was made for the policeman to collect the money.

The taxi driver then made contact with the police Anti-Corruption Branch and the sting operation was set up outside the Central Police Station. Immediately after he collected the money, officers attached to the Anti-Corruption Branch moved in to arrest him.

It is alleged that the sergeant pulled his firearm and pointed it in the direction of his colleagues. With gun in hand, he escaped down George's Lane, with his colleagues chasing him.

Reports are that he threw down his service pistol and ran into a building, from where he made his escape.

With Williams now behind bars, Felice said he and his team are probing numerous complaints made against scores of other policemen.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com