KINGSTON, Jamaica – During his monthly press briefing held on Tuesday, November 1, Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, reminded members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force that they have the support of the High Command in the lawful use of force to defend themselves and their colleagues against any attack.

According to a release, the Commissioner reported that since the start of this year, six policemen have been killed in the course of duty and three members have been shot and seriously injured during confrontations with gunmen.

“I have often made the point that, when confronted by armed criminals, it is my desire for the police to win every single time and go home to their families,” Anderson said, adding that unfortunately a number of officers do not make it home.

“Unfortunately for us, Corporal Oliver Mullings was not able to go home to his family that night,” he said, recalling the policeman’s untimely demise. Corporal Mullings was gunned down in the line of duty on Third Street in the Kingston Western Police Division late last month.

“Just this morning a member was shot and injured by a gunman outside of the Kingston Central Police Station while on traffic duty, thankfully he managed to take evasive action, return fire, and has been treated at hospital,” Anderson added, reminding his officers to be aware of their surroundings on and off duty.

In encouraging lawmen and women Anderson added that, “There are many who have a lot to say about police use of force. The problem is that none of those people are out there on the front lines being shot at. It is far easier to opine about these things from positions of safety.”