The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Commissioner, Major General Antony Anderson, on Saturday(September 26) condemned the killing of Constable Kemar Francis.
27-year-old Francis who was attached to the Hunts Bay Police Station died in the line of duty.
Francis was a member of a team of officers on patrol on Maxfield Avenue when they responded to reports of gunfire shortly before midnight on Friday.
In making their way to the community, the officers were met with gunfire on Pretoria Road.
The police defended themselves, but Constable Francis was shot. He later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at hospital.
During the incident, one of the shooters, 28-year-old Shavaugh Johnson also called ‘Bunwaist’ was also shot dead by the Police.
Speaking early this morning from the Hunts Bay Police Station, Commissioner Anderson, said the police remain resolute in their pursuit of criminals.
“This is not going to deter us. Each event like this just strengthens our resolve. We will fix this problem, but to do it, we will need the support of our public and various other arms of government to allow us to succeed. But we will continue to do what we have to do; this is not in any way going to stop us,” said Anderson.
The Police Commissioner warned officers to remain vigilant as criminals will continue to pursue them with intensity and focus.
“The people out there who feel that this is the way they should go, understand that we will be coming for you; we will be looking for you, and we will do what we need to do to ensure that our country is safe,” added Francis.
Constable Francis’ killing brings to four the number of policemen who have died while on duty seeking to keep Jamaicans safe
He is the second member of the security forces to be killed in the line of duty this week, as JDF Private Reneil King was killed on Friday morning during a joint Police-Military Narcotics Operation in Clarendon.
