PORUS, Manchester:
IN A solemn atmosphere, Justices of the Peace of the parish of Manchester lit candles last Monday night in memory of 44 Jamaican police officers who have died since the start of the year. Of this number 18 died in the line of duty and the remaining 26 including two from Manchester of natural and other causes.
The officers were remembered at the Mandeville Police Civic Committee and the Manchester Parish Council's Annual Christmas Tree lighting and Police Awards Ceremony held at the Mandeville Greens.
Custos Rotolorum for the parish, Dr. Gilbert Allen, in his address, said the theme of Christmas challenges our desire for peace and goodwill to one and all. According to him we are grieved at some of the happenings in our country and saddened by the reports of crime, violence and corruption across the island. Elements, which he said, were bent on tormenting our people and discrediting the good name of our country both home and abroad.
"Over the past year, we documented well over 900 murders, including many police officers and every citizen must now play his or her part as we forge meaningful relationships for law enforcement through numerous community organizations," he noted.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Henley Morgan, chairman of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Ethics and Service Board, also lamented the scourge which now threatens society. "When one takes stock of some of the wanton acts being perpetrated by Jamaicans against Jamaicans, one might very well understand how and why people have come to such dire conclusion. For indeed, the nation it seems has a death wish or is suffering retribution for unrepented sins he suggested."
Dr. Morgan said Christmas time and the impending dawn of a new year provide yet another time and reason for hope but questioned "where and to whom shall we look for hope?"
He said he was encouraged by the courageous action being taken by the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Government of Jamaica with support from the British government and overseas agencies to transform the police force and noted that the challenge to improve policing may rightly be labelled "work in progress" with emphasis on progress.
Mayor of Mandeville Councillor, Horace Williams, said the year 2002 unleashed many challenges relating to illegal vending, littering and traffic problem. However, he noted that in the coming year the Council will be aggressively attempting to address these municipal problems.
Detective Sergeant Paulette Knight and District Constable Owen "Jerry" Lawrence were named as Woman Police
and Policeman of the Year, respectively.
