THE high command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has assured its members that they will be backed — despite the outcome — in the lawful execution of their duties.

The high command underscored its support for the members of the force in the wake of a firefight in downtown Kingston Wednesday morning which left four alleged gangsters dead and a police constable nursing gunshot wounds.

“The JCF is steadfast in our dedication to maintaining law and order and ensuring the security of the society. We will continue to act with courage and resolve in our efforts to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people,” said the high command in a late afternoon media release.

“The JCF, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to our ongoing operations targeting high-risk offenders who continue to drive fear in our communities.

“Furthermore, we strongly discourage high-risk violent offenders from using firearms against law enforcement personnel, as we will continue to leverage our superior training and tactics in all such confrontations.

“It is imperative that our officers not only prevail, but also return safely to their families after each shift,” the high command said following what some residents of downtown Kingston described as an almost three-hour long shooting incident.

“It did sound like a inna my yard the shot dem did a fire. From the sound wake me up about 1:30 me no go back go sleep all when them done about 4 o’clock,” a resident of downtown Kingston told the Jamaica Observer as she recounted her experience with what the police say was a firefight between them and a group of heavily armed men.

When the shooting ended, the police reported that four of the men who had engaged them near King and Charles streets had been fatally shot, while one of their colleagues had been hospitalised with a gunshot wound, but his injury was not considered life-threatening.

Blood splatters were seen on Charles Street, Orange Street, King Street, and Chancery Lane, while residents nearby Princess and Orange streets reported that there was also gunfire close to their houses.

In its release, the high command described the incident as “a direct assault not only on the members of the constabulary but on the State itself. Such actions challenge the rule of law and the security frameworks that protect our society”.

The high command added: “We would also like to formally recognise the bravery displayed by the members involved.”

Up to press time the police had not reported the identities of the dead men.

“[D]em don’t look like dem come from the area, and we don’t know the car,” said one resident as she pointed to a seven-seater vehicle in which the men had reportedly been travelling.

The residents further claimed that at least two men who were travelling in the vehicle hid at the back of premises in the area and escaped in the vicinity of Kingston Public Hospital after the firefight ended.

The car, which had crashed into a fire hydrant, was seen disabled at the intersection of Charles and King streets with the doors open and police crime scene tapes cordoning off the area when the Observer news team arrived on the scene shortly after 7:00 am.

In a mid-morning release the police said that about 1:30 am cops responded after explosions were heard in the area.

“Upon arriving at the scene they were met with shots fired from a vehicle. A gun battle ensued between the officers and the gunmen. During the exchange, a constable from the Kingston West Division sustained gunshot wounds to the hand. He is currently stable and receiving treatment in hospital.

“A team from the Kingston Central Division provided assistance to bring the situation under control, resulting in the fatal shooting of four suspects and the recovery of five firearms — three pistols, an M16, and [another] rifle,” said the police.

The report also noted that investigations into the incident had started “with police processes being thoroughly followed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired. The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) and the Inspectorate Professional Standards Oversight Bureau have been notified”.

In the meantime, Indecom reported that the killing of the four men downtown Kingston, which remained a live investigation, was one of three fatal shootings by the police it has been investigating in Kingston, St Catherine, and Westmoreland in the past two days.

According to Indecom, six men were killed in the three incidents on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The fatal shooting in Westmoreland [on Wednesday] is also a live investigation as members of the investigative team are still completing enquiries. It is reported that officers were on a targeted operation in the community of Sterling District in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, searching for prohibited weapons.

“During the operation, a man reportedly shot at the police, who returned the fire. The 29-year-old male, Pete Bowen, was identified as the deceased in this incident. A firearm was reported as recovered from the scene,” said Indecom.

“The other shooting incident, which occurred on May 7 in the community of Waterford in St Catherine, resulted in the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Kevaughn Bhalai and the recovery of a Smith and Wesson revolver… The police reported that upon entering a house, based on information received, a man who was seen in a room pointed a firearm in their direction and in return they fired at the man,” added Indecom.