POLICE yesterday held Jermaine Chambers, otherwise called ‘Big Up’, who was wanted for the murder of District Constable Paul Whyte in August Town, St Andrew, on December 20 last year.

Chambers, who was also accused of shooting a policewoman in the December 20 incident, was nabbed by members of an Operation Resilience team in West Kingston. In addition to the murder of the district constable and the injury of the woman corporal, Chambers was also wanted for the murder of Marlon McKenzie, otherwise called ‘Chiphead’, who was shot dead in August Town, St Andrew, on November 27, 2012.

“This latest success under Operation Resilience comes on the heels of the release of the year-end figures for the initiative, which show that 194 firearms, among them 12 high-powered rifles, have been seized in operational activities under the initiative so far,” a release from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) said.

Said the release: “Activities between the launch of the initiative on October 3 and December 28 last year saw the seizure of 847 assorted rounds of ammunition, just over J$1.5 million and US$67,000, some 19 motor vehicles and the arrest of 316 persons.”

Among those arrested last year was Shane Coke, the reputed leader of a prominent gang operating in the Kingston Western Division, who was wanted for some four murders, including the shooting death of retired policeman Tony Hewitt and Adolf Campbell, a Jamaica Public Service contractor.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds, the man in charge of operations in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, praised the Mobile Reserve and the divisional operational teams for their resolve to ensure that all citizens can live in a safe and secure society, where the rule of law prevails. He also thanked the Jamaica Defence Force for their continued support.

Hinds, at the same time, gave the assurance that activities under Operation Resilience will continue well into the new year, and appealed to citizens to co-operate with the police.

“Gang members, those who shoot, kill and terrorise our communities, have families and friends, who many times shield them from the law. We want to appeal to such persons to do what is right; consider how the protection of your loved one is destroying other families, tell the police what you know,” Hinds appealed yesterday.

He gave an assurance that the police had no agenda to harm or kill suspects, as he and pointed to the capture of ‘Big Up’, who, despite being fingered in the death of District Constable Paul Whyte, was apprehended without harm or injury.

“As long as suspects peacefully surrender when confronted, it is the wish of the police to allow the justice system to work by placing accused persons before the court,” he said.

Hinds also disclosed that the activities under Operation Resilience have resulted in the disruption and displacement of a number of gangs, notably the Four Storey Gang in the Kingston Western Division and the Alma Gang in Westmoreland.

“We are committed to making Jamaica safe for all citizens [and] we thank the residents of the communities whose freedom of movement are sometimes curtailed by our activities for their patience and understanding, and urge them to continue to work with us in the new year,” said Hinds.