A 35-YEAR-OLD police constable took his life yesterday morning with a single bullet from his licensed 9-mm pistol, while sitting on a chair at the back of his home in Windsor Castle, St. Mary.
He has been identified as Constable Donovan Spence, formerly of the Mount Salem Police Station in St. James. According to police records, 41 persons have committed suicide since January.
NOT AWARE
Head of the St. James Police Division, Superintendent Newton Amos, while expressing condolence to the constable's family, said he was not aware of the policeman having any grave problem that would have prompted him to take his own life.
The Gleaner understands that on Tuesday night the constable was involved in a motor vehicle accident while on his way to St. Mary from work. He sustained minor injuries to his chest.
But one of his colleagues who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday said recently the constable did a medical examination and since that time had not been acting normal.
Yesterday, at about 11:55 a.m. he was at home with his sister and her friend when they both heard an explosion. The policeman was later discovered dead.
Chairman of the Police Federation Sergeant David White said he was not aware that the constable had been experiencing any problems at work or home, prior to the incident.
"But in cases like this we do offer funeral assistance (and) moral support. We also try to help the dependents," the Federation Chairman said.
Constable Spence is survived by his wife and one child.
