A pressure group has condemned the actions of a police officer who posted CCTV footage of a fatal road traffic accident on social media.

Social Justice Bermuda claimed that the incident had eroded confidence in the police and said the service should be reformed.

The group spoke out in the wake of last Wednesday’s accident on North Shore Road in Smith’s which claimed the life of Jahtino Richardson-Martin.

Acting Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons later confirmed that a police officer had posted the footage.

SJB said: “Social Justice Bermuda is enraged, dismayed and disgusted to learn that a police officer violated their professional and moral obligations by sharing the CCTV footage of Jahtino Richardson-Martin’s final moments on social media.

“This is abhorrent for anyone to have done, and exponentially so when done by a police officer.

“It is impossible to have an effective police service if the public cannot trust the integrity, discretion and impartiality of the police service.”

The group added that the actions of the officer were “gross violations” which displayed “a wanton disregard of the deceased and exacerbate the grief and anguish of those left behind”.

SJB said: “They also erode the public's trust in the integrity and impartiality of the police service, which has far reaching consequences in the investigation and prosecution of crime, as well as for society as a whole.

“It is also obvious that the operational dishonesty or impropriety of a single officer tarnishes the reputation of his force and undermines public confidence in it."

“We believe that this violation reaches the level of gross misconduct and the police officer who leaked this CCTV footage is no longer qualified to be a police officer and should be relieved of their position.”

SJB claimed that the service “needs to undergo some serious reform” because of a lack of accountability.

The group highlighted that the force had pushed for an upgraded CCTV network.

SJB said: “This and other behaviour begs the question of whether the police service can be trusted not to abuse its powers in relation to CCTV footage, sharing it on social media or otherwise using it for unlawful purposes.”