Cops shaken as colleague is murdered

The Police High Command is condemning the killing of Sergeant Averel McCollin, 57, of 8 West, Greater Portmore, St Catherine, who was gunned down on Cootage Drive, Gregory Park, in the parish early yesterday morning.

McCollin was reportedly in a yard in Gregory Park about 1:30 a.m., when he was pounced upon by gunmen. He succumbed to his injuries at hospital.

The High Command said that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) family extended condolences to McCollin's family.

"We know you are hurting, because the entire JCF is also grieving," the High Command said. A top-level probe into the circumstances surrounding the killing has been ordered. The JCF's Chaplaincy Services Branch and the Community Safety and Security Branch have been dispatched to the St Andrew South Division, where McCollin last served, to give support to his colleagues. Support has also been offered to his family.

Head of the Hunts Bay police, Senior Superintendent Kirk Ricketts, has described the murder of McCollin as extremely tragic.

"He was a very hard-working police officer and he was looking to his retirement in about three years. This is really tragic as he wasnt given the chance to retire," said Ricketts.

The senior cop stated that he along with all of McCollin's colleagues are devastated following his slaying, while adding that the police are working assiduously to bring his killers to justice.

"We are extremely devastated. No one has been arrested as yet but the St Catheirne South police are following some strong leads. No stones will be left unturned," he said. The police sergeant had served the police force for more than three decades.