IF you are ever in the Michigan city of Lincoln Park on May 29, just remember that Day belongs to deputy superintendent Ivan Brown.

That date was recently set aside to honour the Montego Bay-based cop who has overcome insurmountable odds. He was also presented with the key to the city.

DSP Brown lost both his arms 27 years ago in a criminal attack in Darliston, Westmoreland. In addition to cutting off his arms, his attacker split his head open, took his service firearm, fired one round in the air and then left him to die.

But Brown recovered, and quickly took charge of his life. He was later sent to England, accompanied by his wife of six months, where he was fitted with two prosthetic arms. Today, he is a public speaker who, over the last five years, has addressed over 250 audiences in the United States. His addresses normally revolve around his 32 years in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and his audiences have consisted of other police forces, church groups as well as business groups.

During the key presentation ceremony, which was held at the Day O Restaurant in Granville, St James, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Linton Latty, commended DSP Brown for his courage and determination.

In accepting the award, DSP Brown said it was an “honour for the (entire) Jamaica Constabulary Force”. He added that he saw himself as only a “conduit” for the award, as he could not have achieved such success without the support of his colleagues.

“At this time, when so many negative things are being said about the police force, it is encouraging when others from outside Jamaica are seeing the JCF in a different light,” he commented.

Brown was also recently recommended to be the speaker at the prestigious 31st annual mayors’ breakfast slated to be held next July.