THURSDAY night’s murder of police constable Orville Preddie in Manchester was yesterday condemned by the political directorate, the Police High Command as well as INDECOM, the agency that probes police excesses. Constable Preddie was brutally slain by gunmen late last night.

Constable Preddie, who was one of several patrons at a bar in the community of Asia, was shot by one of five gunmen who had ordered everyone to lie on the floor during a robbery.

They searched the patrons’ pockets and shot the constable in the head when they found his police ID card in his pocket. Preddie was married with two children, aged eight years and 18 months. He was the second policeman to be killed in 2014.

“It is clear that Constable Preddie lost his life due to his occupation and is indicative of the risks and sacrifices our law enforcement officers face while serving and protecting this nation,” Security Minister Peter Bunting said.

Minister Bunting said it was particularly sad for the constable’s family and associates to lose him in this Yuletide Season, and expressed his deepest condolences to the policeman’s widow and children, his community, and his colleagues.

“This incident is a sober reminder that notwithstanding encouraging reductions in crime this year, there is still much to be done to achieve a safe and secure environment,” Bunting said.

The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, which also extended condolences to the family of the slain police officer and to members of the constabulary, said the police must continue to be resolute in their fight against crime and continue to secure the gains they have been making: “We know that police officers are constant targets whether on or off the job because of the duty they perform.

Jamaica is indebted to the family of Constable Preddie as he has made the ultimate sacrifice for us to live in peace without fear,” said Opposition Spokesman on National Security Derrick Smith.

The Police High Command, meanwhile, expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Orville Preddie as well as Inspector Andrea Johnson of the Sandy Bay Police Station in Hanover, who died in a motor vehicle crash on the Long Hill main road shortly after 10:00 yesterday morning.

“We have lost two of our officers in only a few hours, under very tragic circumstances. It is indeed an inconsolable time for the family, relatives and colleagues. But as we mourn together, the Police High Command will support the families as best as we can during this difficult time,” said Police Commissioner Dr Carl Williams. Commissioner Williams appealed to members of the constabulary to exercise the greatest amount of safety and care both on and off duty, whether at home, in communities or while using public thoroughfares.

“We will not relent in finding the perpetrators for the murder of Constable Preddie. It was barbaric and cowardly and those responsible for it will be caught,” said Williams, who announced that a force chaplain was assigned to the families to offer counselling during their time of grief.

Yesterday, Kevin Blake, assistant commissioner of Police Area Three, which includes the parish of Manchester, described the murder of Constable Preddie as a wicked act and one which must be condemned by the entire society.

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) also condemned the murder of Constable Preddie and called for unconditional cooperation of all citizens in the fight against criminal elements in our society.