Senior cop receives scholarship to study in the UK

In a show of gratitude for a job well done, Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the member of parliament for St James East Central, has announced that Senior Superintendent of Police Vernon Ellis, who recently ended six and a half years as police commander for St James, is to receive a scholarship to pursue his studies in the United Kingdom (UK).

In a message from Bartlett, which was read at Monday's appreciation function for Ellis in Montego Bay, Bartlett praised Ellis' solid contribution to protecting the nation's tourism through tough times, to include the COVID-19 pandemic and sometimes troubling crime situation in St James.

"We are delighted to learn of your pursuit of higher education and commend your decision to undertake studies in strategic management and leadership at the London Institute of Business & Technology in the UK. Your commitment to continuous learning and personal development reflects your passion for excellence...in recognition of your outstanding contribution to our community and your tireless effort in ensuring the safety of our tourism sector, it is our privilege to present you with a scholarship towards your studies," said Barlett.

At the event, which was organised by the Montego Bay business community, it was like a 'who's who' affair as all sectors of the Montego Bay community came out to salute the man who not only brought peace and stability to several volatile communities, but also put initiatives in place to arrest the disorder that once plagued the city's business community.

Among those who paid rich tribute to Ellis were St James Custos, Bishop Conrad Pitkin; Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon; President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, Omar Heaven; the presidents of various citizens association; former police commanders; and representatives of the various Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Defence Force formations Ellis has worked with.

In the recent deployment of senior officers by the JCF, Ellis was transferred to Area Two, which covers St Ann, St Mary and Portland. Superintendent Eron Samuels, who served as Ellis' deputy over the past two years, assumed the role as the new police commander for St James at midnight on Tuesday.