Police officers while in uniform, a Magistrate said yesterday.

Kenmarlon Zuill, 21, of Deepdale Road, was fined a total of $550 after he pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour, obstruction, and violently resisting arrest.

At 4.30 p.m. on December 30, a Police officer stopped a motorcyclist at Church Street and Washington Street, prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne told court.

A large group of schoolchildren gathered around and was creating an obstruction, Sgt. Osborne said.

In the crowd was Zuill, dressed in a Bermuda Regiment camouflage uniform.

Police asked Zuill to move on, but he said: "You'd better get out of my face,'' Sgt. Osborne said, adding, "I'm in uniform.'' Zuill, who works at the recycling centre, blocked a Police officer from getting to his cycle. When he was warned to get out of the way or be arrested, Zuill told the officer: "I will smash you up.'' Police then tried to arrest Zuill for threatening behaviour and obstruction.

But he broke away and began to walk away. When he was grabbed, he struggled to get free and demanded to be let loose. He also raised his open hand to an officer and pushed him, Sgt. Osborne said.

During the struggle, the crowd of onlookers grew "to immense proportions,'' spilling onto Church Street and blocking traffic. Some of the onlookers "became hostile to Police, and threw missiles''.

The Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp, who described the scene as "a mini riot'', said Zuill should not be setting such an example in front of youngsters, especially when dressed in a Regiment uniform.

"If you're in the Regiment, they should be teaching you something about discipline and control,'' she told Zuill. "Anyone representing a disciplined force like the Regiment should not be carrying on like this in conflict with another disciplined force in front of a pack of schoolchildren.

"As far as I'm concerned, you were a disgrace to the Regiment on that day.'' "I'm sorry for my actions,'' Zuill said.

Mrs. Mapp fined Zuill $200 for threatening behaviour, $150 for obstruction, and $200 for violently resisting arrest. If he defaults on the fines, he will be sent to prison for 50 days.