A policeman facing an extortion charge has been remanded to prison.

Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade dismissed Demetrius Hepburn from the police force shortly before his arraignment yesterday afternoon.

Hepburn, 27, who was stationed at the East Street South Police Station, is accused of taking a $300 bribe from Antoine Sands on August 8 to prevent him from performing his duty as a police officer.

Hepburn, an officer of nine years, denied the charge at his arraignment before Acting Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

Ferguson-Pratt told Hepburn that he was presumed innocent but it was disturbing that a member of the Police Force was accused of such a crime.

The prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Daxon, objected to Hepburn's release on bail because of fears that he would compromise five pending investigations into his alleged actions.

On the other hand, Hepburn said that he had no reason to tamper with the witnesses, whom he claimed were in custody at the Central Detective Unit in relation to armed robbery.

Ferguson-Pratt deferred a decision on bail to August 22 at 2:30 p.m.

She said she would instruct the prison superintendent to make provisions to ensure his safety.

Ferguson-Pratt ordered officers to allow Hepburn to make a phone call after he complained he had been denied the right to make one.

Hepburn said he had not been able to contact a legal representative.

Attorney Stanley Rolle walked in as officers were about to take Hepburn away.

However, Rolle failed to convince the magistrate to change her position on bail.

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