A policewoman for 28 years, Superintendent Tomilee Chambers expressed gratitude on Monday — National Heroes’ Day — after receiving a Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.

Superintendent Chambers oozed pride as she stepped up to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to be pinned with her medal at the 2024 National Honours and Awards Ceremony held at National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

“I am deeply humbled and grateful for this recognition. This award is not just a testament of my efforts but also to the support of my colleagues, family and friends. I am happy today and inspired to continue striving for excellence and making more meaningful contributions to our country of Jamaica. I am very, very grateful,” Chambers said.

Her daughter and only child was on hand to witness her being honoured and so, too, were other relatives including sisters and brothers from St Elizabeth, where the superintendent is from and which she described as the best parish in Jamaica.

“Family life is going great. I have a lovely daughter who is here with me along with my family from St Elizabeth, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephew,” said Chambers, a past student of Balaclava High School in St Elizabeth, which was renamed Roger Clarke High School in 2015.

The superintendent, who has been commanding officer of the gritty, violence-prone Kingston Eastern Division since October 2020, said she chose to become a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) because she enjoys touching people’s lives.

Chambers has been commended on numerous occasions during her tenure as commanding officer for promoting community policing and helping to ensure good relations between residents and the police in the many communities patrolled by the Kingston Eastern police.

“What inspired me to become a police is to know that as a member of the JCF I could touch the life of someone. One of the most important things is to know that citizens can attend the station and you take care of them. When they leave, you know that you touched their life based on how you cared for them and, based on how you conduct follow-ups and remind them that it doesn’t matter what happens, we are here for them to serve, protect and reassure,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

Chambers highlighted two retired members of the JCF whom she said were sources of encouragement to her early in her career.

“Retired Superintendent Ionie Ramsay Nelson was my commanding officer at the St Andrew Central Division and I remember when I was being transferred from there to Kingston Eastern she said, ‘Listen to me, go ahead’. She said she knew that great things awaited me. She was encouraging and up until this very moment, every day she reminds me of when I was to go to Kingston Eastern. She would say, ‘I told you and look at you now. Just keep the flag flying high.’ I am really happy for her support. Retired Sergeant Brendalyn Chisolm was also one of my mentors at the St Andrew Central Division. Here I am now.”

Ramsay was indeed a proud woman on Monday as she watched her mentee being honoured.

“I trained her at St Andrew Central. When the force was looking for a community relations officer, I left my division without any and sent her to Kingston East as a constable, and she worked her way up the ladder with hard work, good excellent relationship with community and her staff. They love her like cooked food,” Ramsay said.