Legal action launched against govt after brutal police attacks on mentally ill man
Formal legal proceedings have been initiated against the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines following a series of alleged unprovoked and “vicious” attacks by members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) against Kenton Harris, a vulnerable man suffering from chronic psychiatric challenges.
During a press briefing held today, attorney Carlos James announced that a formal notice of intended civil proceedings has been served to the Attorney General’s chambers. James, representing Harris through his mother and litigation friend, Anesta Harris Robinson, described the case as one of the “worst cases of abuse of power” seen in the country.
The legal claim details three separate incidents occurring within a three-month period in 2026:
- March 11, 2026: Harris was allegedly attacked by officers upon arriving at the Kingstown Central Police Station, resulting in a fractured left arm. No formal investigation was launched into this incident at the time.
- May 21, 2026: A video went viral across social media showing police officers physically attacking and abusing Harris outside Coreas Road while he was in a state of vulnerability.
- May 24, 2026: Following another arrest, Harris was allegedly abused while in a police holding cell and again while being transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.
James noted that after these encounters, Harris’s physical and mental state “degenerated catastrophically,” requiring him to be admitted to a mental health facility and subsequently treated for emergency orthopedic injuries.
The lawsuit, filed under the Crown Proceedings Act, seeks damages for several causes of action, including assault and battery, negligence, and misfeasance in public office. The claim also highlights blatant breaches of constitutional rights, specifically the right to protection from inhumane and degrading treatment.
“Mr. Harris is a highly vulnerable person. He is legally incapable of managing his own affairs, rendering the state’s custodial duties absolute and non-delegable,” James stated during the briefing. The legal team is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and future rehabilitation costs, as well as aggravated and exemplary damages due to the “high-handed and arbitrary nature” of the officers’ conduct.
As part of the pre-action protocol, the state has been requested to preserve and produce evidence, including:
- Station custody records and holding cell logs from March and May 2026.
- Surveillance footage from the Kingstown Central Police Station.
- Statements from five named officers and duty officers involved in the incidents.
Calls for Justice and Reform
Speaking briefly at the conference, Kenton’s mother, Anesta Harris Robinson, expressed her pain, stating, “I would like to see justice for my son because when the police are to him, they didn’t have the right to do it. They is very wrong”.
While James acknowledged that many police officers serve with distinction, he emphasized that the “few rotten eggs” must be held accountable to prevent staining the reputation of the entire force. He further called for a radical shift in how the RSVGPF handles citizens with mental health issues, arguing that the current lack of specialized training for dealing with vulnerable persons is a “grave national importance” that must be addressed.
“A society is viewed based on how they treat their most vulnerable citizens, not to abuse them,” James concluded.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police have also been placed on notice, with the legal team demanding a rigorous criminal investigation into the March 11 incident, which had previously gone uninvestigated. If no settlement proposal is reached within the statutory timeframe, the matter will proceed to the High Court of Justice.