KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith on Sunday said the suspected murder/suicide incident which left two police constables dead in Ocho Rios, St Ann, Sunday, highlights the capacity of police officers to exercise restraint.
In a news release Sunday, Smith said: “Sunday’s murder/suicide in St Ann, brings into sharp focus the temperament of police officers and their capacity to exercise restraint, both on and off the job.
“Even more importantly, it raises questions as to whether the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) has sufficient safeguards in place to identify members under particular stress or whose conduct has become high risk, and to take mitigating actions,” the Opposition spokesman said.
While expressing shock at the incident which reportedly resulted from an altercation between the two at a bar and saw one policeman allegedly killing the other and then taking his own life, Smith stressed that possessing a firearm is a big responsibility.
“The enormous responsibilities that come with the possession of a firearm must always be impressed upon members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force,” Smith insisted.
He then urged appealed to Commissioner of Police Carl Williams to ensure that police officers understand this.
“I am urging Commissioner Williams to ensure that this is being done and is being done in a manner that is likely to see good temperament and greater levels of restraint being exercised by members of the Constabulary where firearm usage is concerned.”
