Dear Editor,
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is mourning the loss of a number of their members who died both on and off duty in less than three weeks.
The tragedy of woman constable Crystal Thomas, who was shot execution style after she concluded duty and was on a Spanish Town bus going home, is particularly harrowing. Constable Curtis Lewis was killed, while lawfully executing his duty by a motorcyclist who refused to stop after he was signalled to do so. Constable Roger Bennett died after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a truck and the driver did not stop to see the result of his action. The death of the officers should not be taken lightly as this brings into focus the lack of respect for the law and those who pledge to enforce it.
Day and night police officers risk their lives in dire circumstances to protect citizens against the onslaught of criminals who try to get ahead using whatever means necessary. While the police's duty is to serve, protect and reassure, who reassures them of a safe journey home after completing a 14-hour shift, which might have involved chasing a wanted man or seizing a bus, etc? Does the officer put his/her 'iron' suit on and board a bus? And this is not a new concern as the chairman of the Police Federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, mentioned in a statement that it has been a number of years that they have been asking for proper transportation arrangements to be made for officers coming off duty.
Now, with our justice system as it is, shortage of jurors and witnesses afraid to attend court because of our 'infoma if dead' culture, what is the guarantee that the killers will be caught, taken to court and sentenced to prison at hard labour?
I have often heard police officers say that "the work is ungrateful". Now I see why they would have that opinion. The importance of the police cannot be overstated, and the residents of Longville Park in Clarendon can attest to that as recently they demonstrated for a permanent police post to be erected in their community. The job that cops perform is very risky and so often officers are seen on duty without a firearm or bullet-proof vest. This only stands to reason that if the officer cannot protect himself/herself then they will not be able to protect the public against criminals.
Condolence to the JCF family and the families of the deceased officers, and I appeal to the powers that be to put in the necessary protective measures for the safety of the police.
Melvin Vernon
Vernon_07@hotmail.com
Service without protection
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The Jamaica Constabulary Force is mourning the loss of a number of their members who died both on and off duty in less than three weeks.
The tragedy of woman constable Crystal Thomas, who was shot execution style after she concluded duty and was on a Spanish Town bus going home, is particularly harrowing. Constable Curtis Lewis was killed, while lawfully executing his duty by a motorcyclist who refused to stop after he was signalled to do so. Constable Roger Bennett died after the vehicle he was driving was hit by a truck and the driver did not stop to see the result of his action. The death of the officers should not be taken lightly as this brings into focus the lack of respect for the law and those who pledge to enforce it.
Day and night police officers risk their lives in dire circumstances to protect citizens against the onslaught of criminals who try to get ahead using whatever means necessary. While the police's duty is to serve, protect and reassure, who reassures them of a safe journey home after completing a 14-hour shift, which might have involved chasing a wanted man or seizing a bus, etc? Does the officer put his/her 'iron' suit on and board a bus? And this is not a new concern as the chairman of the Police Federation, Sergeant Raymond Wilson, mentioned in a statement that it has been a number of years that they have been asking for proper transportation arrangements to be made for officers coming off duty.
Now, with our justice system as it is, shortage of jurors and witnesses afraid to attend court because of our 'infoma if dead' culture, what is the guarantee that the killers will be caught, taken to court and sentenced to prison at hard labour?
I have often heard police officers say that "the work is ungrateful". Now I see why they would have that opinion. The importance of the police cannot be overstated, and the residents of Longville Park in Clarendon can attest to that as recently they demonstrated for a permanent police post to be erected in their community. The job that cops perform is very risky and so often officers are seen on duty without a firearm or bullet-proof vest. This only stands to reason that if the officer cannot protect himself/herself then they will not be able to protect the public against criminals.
Condolence to the JCF family and the families of the deceased officers, and I appeal to the powers that be to put in the necessary protective measures for the safety of the police.
Melvin Vernon
Vernon_07@hotmail.com
Service without protection
-->