On Wednesday we showed you a video of an altercation between two cops in Dangriga. In that video, Sergeant Marvin Salam, who was in uniform, was seen assaulting Corporal Kendis Mortis, who was in plain clothes.
Well, that altercation actually started much earlier, outside a club, and it was caught on surveillance cameras. Courtney Menzies has that story.
This was the scene outside the Lakeland Recreation Center in Dangriga early on Saturday morning.
Two cops - Corporal Kendis Mortis and Sergeant Marvin Salam - got into an ugly altercation on the street, but what caused the brawl?
Thats tory started two unfold about two hours earlier - around 12:30 am. This surveillance footage shows Corporal Mortis causing a ruckus at the entrance of the club, reportedly not wanting to pay the fee to get inside. He came in plain clothes with a drink already in his hand and shoved a female patron to make his way in. That's when the other officers stopped him.
Eventually, he paid and went inside. However, later when he came back outside around 3:00 am without his shirt, he was still belligerent towards the other officers and ultimately attacked Sergeant Salam. That is what led to the altercation and the video that was posted online - which tells a story, but only one side of it.
When we asked the ComPol about it, he said the fault was with the Sergeant.
Jomarie Lanza:
"We recently saw a video where Corporal Mortis was being lashed by Sergeant Salam in the street. What is the story behind this?"
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
"Well, I was made to understand there was some altercation at the establishment, and to-from what I view, I do believe that the police did use excessive force, hence the reason he was arrested and charged."
Reportedly, Mortis said that because he was a ranked police officer, he didn't have to pay, and he also claims that he was not intoxicated. Salam has retained an attorney.
