Chinnery Placed On Leave With Pay Following Brawl With Pedestrian; Incident Under Investigation

ST. THOMAS — An initial press release issued by the VIPD concerning a brawl that occurred between Police Corporal Dariel Chinnery and Everette Parker, a pedestrian police allege was jaywalking into oncoming traffic on Main Street and Raadets Gade, detailed a situation that would lead the reader to believe that Parker, 46, punched Cpl. Chinnery in the face, a stunning turn of events that prompted the officer to counter with a taser gun, which dropped Parker to the ground.

But although Parker, as seen in the video below (courtesy Jennifer Ledee), was disobeying a police order, he was struck first by the police officer after the officer attempted to knock a cellphone out of Parker’s hands. He then landed a slap on Cpl. Chinnery. The police report also stated that after Parker was first tasered, he stood back up and continued his erratic behavior, which forced Cpl. Chinnery to taser him a second time. But the video again tells a different story; as Parker was still sitting when he was hit with the taser gun a second time.

The VIPD press release further stated that Parker refused to leave, but in the video, he could be heard saying, “I’m leaving,” to which Cpl. Chinnery responded, “I said put your hands behind your back!” Parker, with his hands up, refused to put his hands behind his back, yelling at Cpl. Chinnery: “You ordered me to leave!”

In a hastily organized press conference, St. Thomas Police Chief Darren Foy announced that Cpl. Chinnery had been placed on leave with pay; and expressed gratefulness than none of the parties involved in the incident were seriously hurt.

“The Virgin Islands Police Department is concerned with the safety of our officers and the general public at large. It is unfortunate anytime an officer has to engage in a use of force and thankfully, no one was seriously injured; neither the officer or the suspect,” Chief Foy said. “At this time, the officer involved in this matter has been placed on immediate Administrative Leave, with pay.”

Mr. Foy also asked for the community’s assistance as the force’s Internal Affairs Bureau continues to investigate the matter, adding that information provided would help ensure a fair outcome.

“The incident in its entirety is under investigation by the Internal Affairs Bureau, and Investigators are requesting the public’s assistance. At this time, information from the public regarding this incident has been limited. To assist in our investigation, the Virgin Islands Police Department asks that if you were a witness to the incident, have any physical evidence such as a video recording, or have any other information, to please contact the Office of the Chief of Police or the Internal Affairs Bureau so that we may ensure a full, fair, and thorough investigation.

“This incident will be thoroughly investigated and evaluated. The Virgin Islands Police Department will not tolerate force being used against our officers, nor will we tolerate unnecessary force against the members of the public,” Mr. Foy concluded.

After being posted online on the “What’s Going On, St. Thomas” Facebook forum, the video immediately went viral. It has been shared by over 1,500 people, and continue to garner much discussion.