The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is facing public scrutiny following the violent arrest of an 82-year-old man on Saturday. The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, has sparked outrage over the level of force used by officers.

The elderly man, identified as Steadman Scotland, was sitting inside a barbershop near Long Street and Thames Street when he was approached by a police officer. According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated from a traffic violation involving Scotland, who is a disabled driver.

Reports indicate that Scotland had parked his vehicle on the sidewalk and was instructed to remove it. However, after completing his business at the barbershop, he returned to move the vehicle only to be confronted by the officer, who allegedly claimed he had taken too long.

A video of the incident shows Scotland calmly sitting in the barbershop as the officer orders him to stand. When he inquired about the reason for his arrest, the officer abruptly grabbed his arm. Scotland instinctively pulled away, prompting the officer to forcibly yank him from his seat and fling him across the room. As the visibly shaken senior citizen attempted to regain his balance, the officer grabbed him again and dragged him outside.

https://youtu.be/vRN7UsKB07g

Bystanders could be heard protesting the officer’s handling of Scotland, with some calling for restraint. “You all must learn how to deal with people!” and “You can’t do that, officer!” one person shouted.

Despite their pleas, the officer continued his aggressive approach, gripping Scotland by the back of his shirt and forcing him to the ground before placing him in the trunk of a police vehicle. Three plainclothes officers assisted in the arrest.

Witnesses were left shocked and frustrated, questioning why such force was necessary for what they described as a minor traffic matter. The barber who observed the altercation was frustrated by the officer’s unwillingness to let Scotland leave. He told the Observer that he asked the officer to allow the man to go because he is ‘funny in the head,” but he ignored him.  “The man [officer] say to me say it gone too far, which in I never see nothing gone nowhere. It doh make no sense to me”.

Traffic violations are classified as arrestable offenses, but it remains unclear whether Scotland has been formally charged. Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Inspector Frankie Thomas has since said that the police are investigating and the office of professional standards are investigating.

N.B This story was originally posted in the Antigua Observer.