Cap-Haïtien’s police and court engage in power struggle

CAP-HAITIEN — Last week, police officers from Haiti’s Departmental Service of Judicial Police (SDPJ) shuttered the Court of First Instance in Cap-Haitien twice in protest. They accused its dean, Joseph Manigat, of freeing the girlfriend of a deceased bandit who had been killed by a slain SDPJ officer. Manigat is also alleged to have directed the police to return all items confiscated from the deceased bandit, including a vehicle.

Several regulars at the court, including attorneys and bailiffs, vehemently objected to the SDPJ’s forceful closure, labeling it an overreach of power. They appealed to higher-ranking police officials to prevent another closure.

Attorney Lunique Charles stated, “The police officers had no right to close the court. The justice system must take measures to counter such actions in coordination with the general directorate of the police and the general inspection. The police ought to support the justice system, not undermine it.”

The court’s closure marks the latest incident in an ongoing conflict between the police and the justice system in Cap-Haitien. Despite both institutions being designed to work in harmony, police officers have been behaving as if they hold superior authority. Earlier this year, police officers attacked City Attorney Charles Durand. The assaulting officers were removed from isolation following a police protest.

One bailiff, who chose to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, questioned, “How can police officers simply close a court? They’re disrupting everyone’s lives. They’re not supposed to do this. I’m against it.”

Manigat could not be reached for comment, and City Attorney Charles Durand was not available to answer questions from The Haitian Times either.

On May 13 and May 16, unidentified SDPJ officers, their faces obscured by ski masks, closed the court for several hours. They demanded justice for their colleague, Remy Synce, who was shot dead in February in Petite Anse, a neighborhood on the fringes of Cap-Haitien’s downtown area.

Synce and his wife were ambushed by armed bandits on a motorcycle after leaving the bank on the evening of Feb. 19. Synce exchanged gunfire with the bandits, killing one, Emile Alcima, but was also fatally shot. His wife survived a gunshot wound to the arm.

Alcima’s girlfriend, Jenny Love Decimus, and brother, Jocelyn Alcima, were arrested the same night for interrogation, and Alcima’s vehicle and other belongings were confiscated by the police.

The dates of Decimus’ release from prison and the police’s return of Alcima’s belongings remain unclear.

On May 13, SDPJ officers began protesting these decisions, taking their grievances to the street with signs, spray-painting the Court of First Instance and closing it. They also called for Manigat’s resignation or dismissal.

An unnamed SDPJ officer told local reporter Romain Phanel, better known as Ti Zo Le Specimen, “We kindly ask you to step aside and let those with moral integrity do the job. Take your decisions with you. We no longer acknowledge this dean in the department.”

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