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Brazen gunmen kill cop

Uptick in murders sharpens State of Emergency debate

BY HORACE HINES Observer staff reporter hinesh@jamaicaobserver.com

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

THE Monday night murder of the island’s seventh policeman since the start of the year, in the quiet hamlet of Haughton Grove, Hanover, has turned thoughts nervously towards the collapsed State of Emergency.

The killing near midnight in the western parish, stirred memories of the attacks on members of the security forces in the run-up to the joint police/military assault on Tivoli Gardens in Kingston, where former strongman and alleged drug kingpin Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke was holed up.

Government and Opposition, mindful of their image and public perceptions about commitment to the fight against crime, hastily condemned the gunning down of Corporal Omar Duncan as he investigated a burglary, minutes from his home in the community.

The police yesterday launched a massive manhunt for the killers of Corporal Duncan, a 15-year veteran who was assigned to the Ramble Police Station — not far from the place where he met his death.

“We will robustly pursue the killers of Corporal Duncan as this attack on the security forces will not go unpunished,” Police Commissioner Owen Ellington vowed.

Ellington reminded the men and women under his command that the threat level against the police was still very high, saying: “We have made significant gains in the last two months, however, the murder of Corporal Duncan is a clear indication that criminals are still among us.

“I am therefore urging all my members to be alert, to be prepared, to act professionally and to continue the offensive against criminal elements in the country,” the commissioner said in a thinly veiled reference to the crime measures put in place after the scuttling of the State of Emergency last week Tuesday in Parliament.

But the minister of national security, Dwight Nelson was more direct, suggesting to the country and Corporal Duncan’s colleagues that the criminal elements who were forced to scamper underground since the determined effort to root them out took effect two months ago, were now attempting to resurface.

He commended the “resoluteness and professionalism” displayed by members of the security forces in the operations under the State of Emergency which resulted in crime levels trending down dramatically in recent weeks.

“This must serve as a reminder that the hoodlums are still out there planning to murder, maim and destroy,” said Nelson.

For the Opposition, spokesman on national security Peter Bunting condemned the murder of the cop, saying that his People’s National Party (PNP) was “deeply saddened by the loss of this another serviceman who was gunned down in this cowardly way”.

“This incident is an ugly reminder of the mortal danger our security forces face daily in our country. The Opposition urges all police officers and citizens alike to exercise the greatest caution and vigilance in these times,” said Bunting, who is also general secretary of the PNP.

The State of Emergency came to a screeching halt last Thursday, two days after the Opposition withheld its support for the Government’s resolution to extend it by another 30 days.

Since then, multiple killings, including four murders in Bog Walk, St Catherine, and Monday’s snuffing out of the life of Corporal Duncan, have been cited as proof the State of Emergency was still needed.

The JLP’s influential Area Council 4 used the opportunity to urge the Government to declare another limited State of Emergency, “as by all indications, the previous declaration has proven effective in reducing the murder rate from five to two per day...”.

In a news release, JLP deputy general secretary in charge of the area council, Senator Dennis Meadows, expressed concern “about the surge in murders since the lifting of the State of Emergency evidenced by the quadruple murder in St Catherine and the dastardly killing of Corporal Duncan.”

Meadows charged that the criminals had been emboldened by the failure of Parliament to support another 30-day extension requested by the security forces.

In its own release, the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said their colleague who had responded to reports that armed thugs were breaking into a shop, was shot by gunmen who opened fire on him, before escaping through a back door. He died while undergoing treatment at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, Westmoreland.

Yesterday, a sombre mood enveloped the Ramble Police Station where colleagues tried to make sense of Corporal Duncan’s untimely demise.

“Corporal Duncan was a very, very hard worker. He was very concerned about people and he would do anything to make people feel comfortable and satisfied,” said a teary-eyed senior cop who asked not to be named.

“Corporal Duncan is irreplacable and members of staff are really, really down because of this incident,” he told the Observer.

Gloom also blanketed the residents of Haughton Grove, who had high praises for the slain cop with whom they enjoyed a good relationship.

One elderly lady recalled that after hearing six gunshots ring out in the near midnight hours, her thoughts had turned to Duncan. She claimed she immediately began to send him a text message when someone called to tell her the grim news, whereupon she fainted.

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COMMENTS (18)

Elli Deedo
7/29/2010

Why not Re-implement the CAT O NINE for illegal Weapons?" Mr Editor let us all call for the return of Lashing in Prison for Illegal weapons..The penalties are not hard enough. The first one who is lashed in prison will tell the rest. The CAT must be returned. It's full time.

diego maradona
7/28/2010

i knew this cop and he was a good man . When he was stationed in kingsvale in hanover he used to take the kids for icecream or even just to drive out. So pls dont use his death as stepping stone towards to ur political agenda's.

adrian armstrong
7/28/2010

that need to be addressed so crime will decline. Another enthuisast claims that we should allow the police to do their work. To that I say, which one? The work which statistically finds them to the the most murderous in the world along with the title of Judge, Jury and Executioners? What we need to do is follow the template of other developing countries that have started at the bottom and are now blossoming. Singapore comes to mind, investigate and see what they have done JAMAICA. Until then....

Reneto-Adams Walks-On-Water
7/28/2010

I knew Corp Duncan by sight. I went to school not far from Haughton Grove. Did Corporal Duncan manage to get off any shots at the miscreants? I am just amazed at how may Jamaican police personal are killed by ignoring many basic security/safety protocols. They strut around with their heads up their backsides as if they are walking down Singapore's Orchard Road or walking down some quite back road in some Swiss Canton. They should be primed at ALL times to pop of shots when the situation requires

adrian armstrong
7/28/2010

Here we go again. Another perfect opportunity for the very well educated civil "servants" to exploit the ignorant and uneducated masses in Jamaica and why not? Why not exploit people who whole heartedly believe that a continued state of emergency will solve the crime problem in Jamaica. Oh no, it is not "ease" of which to attain further education, it is not the high rate of unemployment, it is not the fact that the future looks very dim for the people of the ghetto. It is not these issues

Rob C
7/28/2010

:-) :-) :-)
The PNP's top priority right now are 'MOSQUITOS'.
Help us lawd !!!!!!

Nejeeper KNG
7/28/2010

At the current state; it is important to talk about crime. The wiliness to kill a police officer is a signal of the level of respect these killers have for the society (people). Look at the latest killings. A pastor and a police officer, it could be anyone of our relatives, me or you. Now tell me that this is not something to talk about in terms of solutions? The government should serve the people and the people hold the government accountable. Now, what do the people want?
Stand up 4 justice.

Richard Edwards
7/28/2010

'The attack on policemen won't go unpunished", what about the attack on civilians, or it is open season for civilian murders. ' thia is a reminder that hoodlums are still out planning to murder and destroy". Mr Collateral Damage we dont need this to remind us of that sir, close to 2000 Jamaicasn citizens are butchered every year sir, if that does not remind us I odn't know what will. Come up with a crime plan, the SOE is not it.
R. Edwards NYC
Betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com

devon brown
7/28/2010

Ease up on the melodrama, this a gwaan for years and the SOE wasnt in Hanover. I supported the extension of the SOE but I am aware that this wouldnt solve our many years of criminals doing what they want with ease and what was going to happen after the SOE? Lets not sit and mope over the this forever,its the perfect time to roll out Mr Goldings CRIME PLAN he introduced to us while in opposition. Maybe if he had done this when he became PM we wouldnt be so needy of a SOE.

Cookie Bulla
7/28/2010

“We have made significant gains in the last two months, however, the murder of Corporal Duncan is a clear indication that criminals are still among us.
The commish gave me the impression that he thought that in two months criminals would be no more in Jamaica. I think it is very naive to think that Jamaica would be crime free in two months and that Christopher Coke originated crime in Jamaica.

Everton Walker
7/28/2010

The state of emergency is not an option, Jamaicans (especially our Public officials and security forces do not know how to handle power) find some other method of fighting crime.

Peter Lawrence
7/28/2010

I agree with JLP area council # 4. If the govt feels that a SOE is an indispensable element in fighting crime at this point then there are ways they can declare an SOE w/out the political diatribe. Do it , seem to be going it alone on behalf of the people, then reap the rewards of popular support. And Leave the PNP wallowing , and choking in the political dust. Just stop the useless whining about PNP stop the SOE when the govt needs no majority to ask the GG to declare an SOE.

Nejeeper KNG
7/28/2010

My sincere condolences to Corporal Duncan’s family, may God give you strength to bear this load.
We want educated visionaries and patriots to be our leaders. ANDREW Holness is right when he says the Opposition People's National Party PNP has cost the nation "a perfect opportunity to present a united resolve against crime". How could someone be so lack in vision and reality to not support the SOE in these crucial times? Old politics is destroying the country.
Report crime

Rob C
7/28/2010

I know what we tell them Jay. Tell them that this is just the accepted way of life in Jamaica. Tell them that the gunman/men that took the man's life also rights too. Tell them that the gunmen are now remorseful of the loss of the gunman's life. Tell them that he was shown compassion before he was slaughtered. Tell them that we are going back to using methods that haven't worked in over 30 years. Tell them that the only method that put fear into murderers hearts is too cruel for them & us.

mike daley
7/28/2010

Tragic and shameless as the death of Cpl. Duncan was, it should not be abused for political gain or media sensationalism. 1st off the 4 killed in Bogwalk was during the SOE, get it straight. Ppl who don't have a plan act out of desperation & desperate acts have unintended consequences. JCF need to be vigilante & not be restrained by politicians/PNP or JLP. SOE must end sometime then what? So for every killing we going to fall back on the need for a SOE? Grow up & get real JA!

Nejeeper KNG
7/28/2010

My sincere condolences to Corporal Duncan’s family, may God give you strength to bear this load.
We want educated visionaries and patriots to be our leaders, not power hungry r??s. ANDREW Holness is right when he says the Opposition People's National Party PNP has cost the nation "a perfect opportunity to present a united resolve against crime". How could someone be so lack in vision and reality to not support the SOE in these crucial times? Old politics is destroying the country.
REPORT CRIME

Kweli Simba
7/28/2010

The political leadership of this country must understand that while they live in a protective bubble, the ordinary people of the country are exposed to the wickedness of the underbelly of the society. Therefore, they need tp forget the petty political squabbles and huddle in order to find a solution to the crime issue. If the lawmakers behave like criminals then the scums of the earth will follow suit. SOE or not, something must be done and done right in order to put us on the road to recovery.

Jay Brown
7/28/2010

As soon at the SOE another cop life is snuffed out and what does the politicians have to say.
Well the usual rehearsed script. I am not saying the SOE will or can end all criminal activity and neither am I saying that it must be extended Ad infinitum.
We do NOT have enough cops to go around and the military cannot act without the supervision of the cops for normal policing duties.
This is the difference with and without a SOE.
What do we tell the family of his brave and fallen cop ?

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