Erica Virtue, Staff Reporter
IT NEVER happened in seven years, but it happened in a week.
Clarista Wright, widow of slain District Constable Leroy Wright who was murdered September 17, 1995 will not be able to see the $31,168.78 cents that is written on the cheque for her. But one of her young grandchildren could read it aloud for her.
Following the publication of Mrs. Wright's story in last Sunday's Gleaner, officials from the Ministry of National Security, said the Minister has ordered an investigation into all outstanding cases, but hers in particular.
Mrs. Wright, who has lost sight in both eyes, told The Sunday Gleaner two weeks ago, that in addition to the death benefit sum which remains outstanding, she did not get her late husband's salary cheque which was outstanding at the time he was killed.
Aides to National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said last week that the Minister has ordered that Mrs. Wright be paid all sums outstanding, minus the death benefit, which is paid by the Finance Ministry.
Last week, Donnovan Nelson, spokesperson at the Ministry, said Mrs. Wright would receive the cheque before the week was out. However, checks with Mrs. Wright at 6:35 p.m., Friday revealed that she had not.
When The Sunday Gleaner again contacted Mr. Nelson minutes later, he said the cheque had left the Ministry of National Security and was handed to the welfare section of the Police Force, which was to contact, and deliver it to, Mrs. Wright.
He said a significant number of the cases are shrouded in controversy.
"Many of the outstanding cases are mired in paternity claims by different women. We have to make sure we get it right, because you will be the first to write about death benefit cheques being paid to the wrong person," he said.
According to him, the matter of compensation to the families of police officers who die in the line of duty is one of several agenda issues for the Minister.
Police Federation Chairman Inspector Neville Knight said he was happy that the ageing widow would be paid her late husband's benefits.
"The longer you take to settle the cases is the more expensive it will be and furthermore you are going to have a pile-up of cases," Inspector Knight said.
He admitted that incomplete investigations, and controversy over rightful beneficiaries played a major role in settling the claims.
"We provide Will forms at the Federation. All a police officer has to do is to come in here and complete the documentation and it solves all the problems in the event of death," he said.
He noted that police officers were reluctant to make wills, fearing that "they will bring bad luck onto themselves."
But he had high praises for the Security Minister.
"I'm really impressed with him. Since he has taken over there are a lot of things he has set about doing, and we see where many are beginning to make an impact. But, the truth is, this is the way things are supposed to be done, people just allow the system to break down," he said.
More than 100 cases are pending. However, investigations have been completed in 40 of those cases which are awaiting payment.
