NASSAU- A police reservist who was fired after being accused of relatively minor offenses has been acquitted.
Tess Pratt, 35, was humiliated by her former colleagues as she did the perp walk in handcuffs back in 2020, as others accused of more serious offenses appeared before the Police Tribunal.
Prosecutors alleged on Monday, August 24, Pratt used obscene language to the annoyance of PC 4060 Outten.
She allegedly resisted arrest, assaulted Outten and damaged his uniform during the incident that allegedly stemmed from an eviction.
Then, on Thursday, August 27, Pratt allegedly broke coronavirus rules.
Prosecutors say that Pratt wasn’t wearing a mask and failed to follow social distancing protocols at Toote Shop Corner.
During that incident, Pratt allegedly behaved in a disorderly manner and resisted arrest.
Days later, on September 2, Pratt was accused of threatening to kill Glenn Woodside and Geralone Cadet. She was also accused of damaging Woodside’s cell phone and assaulting him with a pipe.
Following a trial before Magistrate Shaka Serville, Pratt was acquitted of all charges after the Court did not find the prosecution’s witnesses credible in the criminal cases. Police also accused Pratt was breaching coronavirus restrictions that were not in force at the time.
Attorney Bjorn Ferguson represented Pratt.
Pratt’s case highlights the disparity in how the police force handles disciplinary issues.
Constable 3826 Courtney Hall remained on the job after costing the government $83,000 in a civil suit that stemmed from criminal behaviour.
Hall pulled a gun on a man outside a club in 2019 and then knocked out his teeth.
But Hall was docked just seven days’ pay after appearing before the police disciplinary tribunal.
Hall has once again been accused of misbehavior and was suspended from duty and placed on half-pay on February 7, 2022.
His matter is being dealt with internally.
https://bahamascourtnews.com/government-settles-with-police-brutality-victim/
