$7,000 can't do anything - Slain cop's babymother not satisfied with JCF compensation

Mary Jane*, who lost her babyfather last year, said she is dissatisfied with the treatment from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in which he served.

Jane told THE WEEKEND STAR that in March last year, the cop died in the line of duty.

She said after a year of trying to get financial help, she recently received a letter that told her she would be getting a little more than $7,000 per month, which she deems insufficient.

"He died leaving three children, two of them mine, and the mother of his other child said they haven't said anything to her, either," she said.

This issue comes only a week after family members of deceased lawmen were invited to a luncheon at the Office of the Commissioner of Police.

"I am not working a steady job right now, and I know that if their father was here I would not be going through all this," Jane cried.

She said that her life is in shambles since his death and, financially, it has been a struggle.

Having to ask for help from other family members, Jane believes that the JCF needs to increase the amount of money it pays out to children of deceased officers who were killed in the line of duty.

She said that her children are the ones who are suffering because their father usually took care of their educational needs.

"I used to buy them food and clothes and he would pay their school fees and buy their books, and now he is not here to do that," she cried. "My children are suffering, too, because they have got very quiet and stay to themselves. My older son has even lost weight since his father's death."

Jane also said that her sons now have anger issues because they are in disbelief about his death.

She said their father worked hard to give them a good education and now that he is gone, she is doing all she can, but thinks the JCF needs to pull their weight.

"I just want them to show more interest and try to put out more effort. $7,000 cannot do anything for the week, much less for a month. My son is going to do CSEC and I had to make him drop two of his subjects, because I cannot pay for it," she said.

* Name changed