Cops saluted for top performance

Three top-performing policemen assigned to the St Andrew Central Police Division were on Friday saluted for their performance in the division during a commander's parade inspection and awards ceremony held at the Half-Way-Tree Police Station.

The cops, Sergeant David Williams and constables Ramane Henry and Romain Hylton, were recognised for work done in the first quarter of 2022. Four other serving members were awarded for their deportment at the event attended by Assistant Commissioner of Police Donovan Graham and Custos of St Andrew Ian Forbes.

Henry had the most arrests while Hylton issued the most traffic tickets.

Williams was saluted for his efforts in the recovery of an AK-47 rifle and nine 7.62 cartridges in February in Chambers Lane, St Andrew. It was the largest weapon in terms of size and calibre seized in the division since the start of 2022.

He said that he felt appreciated and dedicated the award to his team, which he said, has recovered a total of 20 illegal firearms since last August. Williams recalled the day when he and his team, comprising constables Lairie Lewis, Adrian White, Al Junior Fuller, Damaine Face and Natoya Turnbull, made the discovery.

"We reported for duty at 4:30 a.m., the operation was led by Superintendent Jestler. We were carrying out operations the entire day with the last one around 8:30 p.m., but our relentless approach led us to that recovery," Williams told THE STAR.

The weapon was found on the top of a zinc roof inside a premises, but there was no arrest in connection to the find.

"It is a great feeling. I lead a team of five other policemen - the group is called the SAC (St Andrew Central) Overwatch -and they are a group of dedicated officers committed to the task at hand," Williams said.

Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Senior Superintendent Marlon Nesbeth, said that the awards represent one way in which members under his command are saluted for their efforts.

"In keeping with efforts to have our staff motivated and synergised around what the issues are and to continue to give of their best, we thought it important to build this as a way of having them focused and know that we, from our end, appreciate what they do," Nesbeth said.

Custos Forbes said he was most impressed with the deportment of the officers who participated in the parade. He said, too, that the awards ceremony was important as it "shows that the leadership cares".

"Everyday the men go out there and put their lives on the line and make sacrifices, so I think this is just a small token and recognition to help motivate them and build their confidence," Forbes said.