By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterMORE THAN 300 rank and file members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) got an early Christmas gift yesterday when they learnt they were among the first batch of police personnel to be promoted by Police Commissioner Francis Forbes, following the results of the promotional exams.
Sergeant David White, Chairman of the Police Federation, believes the promotions will have a positive effect on the morale of the force.
"We are delighted because we now have more supervisors to carry out functions that would enhance the work of the JCF," White said.
He described the promotions as a "motivational factor", a gesture which he hopes the new supervisors will use to direct positively, the men and women under their command.
More than 100 sergeants and 226 corporals were promoted, among them is Detective Sergeant Wayne Josephs of the St. Andrew North Homicide team, who was presented with a Medal of Gallantry about six years ago, following a gunfight with four men during a robbery attempt at a popular fast food outlet on Red Hills Road, St. Andrew.
The officer who was then based at the Special Anti-Crime Task Force (SACTF) was standing in line as a customer when the men attempted to pull off the robbery. He single-handedly took them on and shot and killed two of the men.
Also on the list are Sergeant Sophia Perry of the Kingston Central Division, and Sergeant Jaqueline Brown, the Constabulary Communication Network's (CCN) liaison officer for St. Catherine South. She is among six CCN officers who have been promoted.
The others are Corporals Jean McDonald, Natasha Green, Andrea Campbell, Devon Williams and Cornel Stewart, the liaison officer for Clarendon. All were promoted from the rank of constables.
