A contractor employed by telecommunications company FLOW has been arrested in St Catherine after allegedly posing as a police officer when he visited a school in search of a female teacher.
The contractor, 27-year-old Alex Murray, is now facing criminal charges after the incident that occurred on March 12. Reports say he told school staff that he was a member of the police force when he arrived at the institution around 5:30 p.m. last Thursday. While identifying himself, he asked about a specific teacher.
During the interaction, the staff members became suspicious of his behaviour, leading them to call the police. When officers visited the school, Murray was no longer at the location.
The Spanish Town police were able to find him after they obtained additional information. According to the report, Murray was taken into custody after the vehicle he was travelling in was intercepted by the police. Investigators say that, at the time, police observed that he was dressed in a black polo shirt bearing police insignia and continued to insist that he was an officer.
He allegedly told police that he was a member of the now-disbanded Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime unit (CTOC). He tried to convince officers that he had forgotten his identification card at home. The pretence continued with him reportedly providing a regulation number and encouraging officers to verify his identity by contacting the unit.
officers became doubtful of his claims when he failed to answer their questions regarding certain key information.
When the authorities made the necessary checks, they confirmed he was an imposter. His identity and employment with Flow were revealed, leading to his arrest. Police also uncovered his address in the Time and Patience district, where a team of JCF members subsequently went and conducted a search. Police said they found more clothing commonly associated with plainclothes police personnel at his residence.
On March 17, there was a question-and-answer session, after which Murray was formally charged. The police are still investigating the matter.