Cop delivers baby in police vehicle

Constable Denton Brown never imagined he would deliver a baby in the early hours of Monday, but when duty called he answered, bringing new life into the world in the back of a police service vehicle.

Brown, who has been in the Jamaica Constabulary Force for four years, was on patrol with District Constable Garey Murphy, when they received a call from police emergency about 1:30 a.m. Eighteen-year-old Aneica Castle, who was 38 weeks along, was in labour in the Swamp Lane area of Bog Walk, St Catherine, and in desperate need of assistance.

"When we arrived, I saw her coming out of the house, and we could see she was in a great amount of pain. We assisted her into the vehicle, but before we even got far, she was feeling even more pain and said the baby was coming," said Brown. Realising that they wouldn't make it to the Linstead Hospital in time, Brown leapt into action.

"I jumped out of the service vehicle, gave Mr Murphy my M16 rifle, and went around to the back. I saw the baby's head coming, so I helped to bring her out," he said. Despite having no formal medical training in childbirth, Brown relied on instinct and basic knowledge.

"I didn't really know what to do, enuh. Mi just act on impulse," he admitted. "This was my first time delivering a baby, and it was never a part of my training. But duty calls, we have to do everything to help."

As the newborn took her first breath and let out a cry, relief washed over the constable.

"When I saw that the baby was crying and everything seemed fine, I was happy," he said. Castle said she started feeling contractions around midnight. With no transportation available, one of her friends contacted the police.

"We did a try get a drive, but we couldn't," she explained. "By the time we reach outside, I could feel the baby's head coming. Mi mother did a hold the baby's head, and Mr Brown ended up delivering her in the vehicle. Then them rushed wi to the hospital."

Both mother and baby were given medical care, and doctors confirmed the infant is healthy. Grateful for the quick response and compassionate care, Castle now considers Brown to be more than just an officer - he's family.

"Mi did kinda fraid though, cause mi did think something did ago do di baby, but everything work out fine. They made me feel very comfortable. Both of them saved my baby," she said. "Constable Brown is her godfather now." Murphy, who has been in the force for nearly 23 years, said this was not his first encounter with an emergency birth.

"A couple of years ago, in this very area called Pleasant Hill, a baby was already born, but the umbilical cord was still attached. We transported the mother and baby to Linstead Hospital," he recalled. Reflecting on Monday's delivery, Murphy noted that the police have got much negative publicity for "taking life out of this world".

"So I was really elated to assist in bringing a life into this world," he said. "This is the kind of service we strive for, responding in a timely manner and ensuring the safety of our citizens."

Acting Senior Superintendent Hopton Nicholson, who heads the St Catherine North Police Division, visited Castle at both her home and the hospital with Brown and Murphy. He praised the lawmen for their professionalism and quick thinking.

"This is not an everyday thing, but they were up to the task," he said. "What is most important is that both mother and baby are safe. The response from the mom and her family is one of pure elation - it cannot be quantified."

Nicholson also presented Castle with a congratulatory gift, a gesture of goodwill from the force. As for Brown, the experience has left a lasting impression.

"This was a shocking one," he admitted. "I don't have children of my own yet, but now I've gained the experience, so when the time comes, at least I know what to do."

With a laugh, he added, "Maybe I can even deliver my first child myself."