The head of the police union pledged support and "representation" Thursday to the officer accused of assaulting a St. Thomas business owner and verbally abusing the man's fiancee on Tuesday in view of dozens of tourists and residents on the St. Thomas waterfront.
Officer Elroy Raymo, president of the Police Benevolent Association, St. Thomas-St. John District, said the union will not abandon Officer Loriel "Lala" Charleswell, now formally accused of assault against Gold's Gym owner Dave Summers and Maryalyce Boynton during an incident that occurred in connection with the writing of a parking ticket.
While "we are not going to discuss the intricacies of the case in the press," Raymo said, "the PBA wants the officer, his family and friends to know that we are behind him 100 percent." Raymo said the union is prepared to provide Charleswell with "any and all representation" that he may need.
Charleswell was placed on administrative leave Wednesday while the charges against him are investigated. In announcing the interim action, Police Commissioner Franz Christian said he was aware of recent development in the officer's private life which might have influenced his psychological state. Charleswell reportedly suffered the recent loss of his mother and a fire at his home.
According to witnesses, Charleswell had to be restrained by a fellow officer after repeatedly striking Summers. Witnesses said the policeman also called Summers "whitey" several times and told his fiancee that he hoped she got raped.
Karin Bentz, attorney for the couple, said they filed a complaint with the police Internal Affairs Division as well as a report of the incident on Wednesday.
