Kathy Badenock, a resident of Layou, recently spoke with ANN about a distressing encounter with police officers at the Layou police station, which she describes as an example of “police misconduct” and “bullying.”
The incident occurred on the evening of July 31, 2024, and has left her feeling unsafe and unsupported by those meant to protect the community.
Ms. Badenock had just returned from a Red Cross deployment in Union Island when she found her road obstructed by a truck and a white van, parked by a neighboring mechanic and his associates—some of whom are police officers. The vehicles blocked her access to her home, a recurring issue that she and her neighbors have faced. As she approached her gate, the truck driver remarked that he wanted to go home, to which she responded, expressing her frustration with the ongoing obstructions.
After settling in her home, Ms. Badenock was surprised when police officers arrived at her door around 10:10 PM. They insisted she move her vehicle immediately, responding to complaints that she had blocked the road. Despite explaining her inability to access her home due to the other vehicles and asking if the other drivers would also be ticketed, the officers focused solely on her, threatening to issue her a ticket for obstruction.
Ms. Badenock described the officers’ behavior as aggressive and dismissive, with one officer even shouting at her and refusing to answer her questions. She felt publicly humiliated, particularly given that she was a single woman facing this situation late at night.
The next day, accompanied by her lawyer, Joseph Delves, she went to the Layou Police Station to file a formal complaint. Shockingly, the same officers Sargent Jack and Constable James from the previous night refused to take her statement, arguing that the incident only began when they arrived, thus absolving the other drivers of any wrongdoing she told ANN .
Ms. Badenock noted that similar incidents have occurred in the area, with neighbors often intimidated into silence due to the close relationship between the mechanic and the police. She expressed her primary concern for her safety and that of her neighbors, feeling that the police’s actions demonstrated a clear bias and disregard for proper procedure.
Despite the challenges, Ms. Badenock is determined to seek justice and accountability, calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. She hopes her story will shed light on broader issues of police conduct and community relations in Layou.
ANN will continue to follow this story as it develops.