Toco man waits for justice from PCA

A TOCO man, who was allegedly injured by a police officer and is unable to work or walk for too long, is seeking some kind of justice after the Police Complaints Authority closed his 1996 complaint because of insufficient evidence. Calvin Maxwell told Newsday yesterday he was disappointed with the Authority’s decision, especially since no one ever visited him to investigate the matter during the seven-year period. The complaint was lodged in 1996 and the Authority made its decision in June of this year. Maxwell explained that on August 31, 1996, he was hired by a police officer (name called) who was stationed at the Toco police station to help “clean up” a recreation club where the officer had hosted a party.

Maxwell, who lives at Steven Street, Toco, said he was accused by the officer of using obscene language. The confrontation then resulted in a struggle between them. He said as he was walking away from the officer “he held me and flung me to the ground and left me there.” Maxwell said he hit his left ankle on the side of a concrete drain. He was subsequently taken for medical attention and he had to undergo surgery to his ankle on October 24, 1996. Doctors said there was “soft bone” which was unable to adequately hold the plate and screws that had been planned. Instead K-wire fixation was done.

A review of Maxwell’s injury in a letter dated July 22, 2003, by Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr David Santana, states that Maxwell “walks with no movement of the ankle and he is unable to stoop.” The doctor further stated that Maxwell, being a handyman by trade, was required to do prolonged walking as well as stooping. The doctor said he will have great difficulty in doing either of those activities. Maxwell said his mother made a complaint to the Authority on December 3, 1996, however only on July 1, 2003, did the Authority respond by letter, informing them that the complaint was considered at a meeting on June 27, 2003 and it was agreed that “the matter was closed due to insufficient evidence.” Maxwell said he was not satisfied with the way the matter was handled and is asking anyone in authority to review the matter.