A taxi operator was shot and injured by a police officer along Dawkins Drive in Portmore, St. Catherine during an altercation. The police officer was also injured in the process. Other taxi operators used the opportunity to express to our news team, that they are being targeted by the police. A Portmore taxi operator is nursing gunshot wounds after an altercation with a police officer who allegedly discharged his service pistol.

Reports are that a police team saw a vehicle that they say was involved in an incident last week. The vehicle the police say, had mowed down a police officer off of his motorcycle and sped away. A tussle ensued between the men which resulted in the taxi operator being shot. 

Other taxi operators who withdrew their services after the incident say they believe they are being targeted. Commanding officer for the St. Catherine south division Senior Superintendent Christopher Phillips described the incident as being “very unfortunate”.

SSP Phillips says this incident is a reminder of some of the challenges being faced by the police. He says despite the unfortunate incident, he was provided with the opportunity to engage with the taxi operators about issues affecting them.