MANCHESTER, Jamaica—Even as senior officers in Manchester on Saturday gathered to pay tribute to the leadership of outgoing commander Superintendent Carey Duncan, many got emotional as they described the dedication and compassion he has for all staff, including civilians.

Duncan, who served as commander for the Manchester division from April 2024 to June 2026, was credited for leading the renovation of the Mandeville police station’s commanders’ suite conference room and for going the extra mile for police personnel and civilian staff.

“He made sure that even the civilian staff got care packages after Hurricane Melissa,” one senior officer said.

Admin officer for Manchester Deputy Superintendent Natalie Hall-Williams presented Duncan with a plaque of appreciation during Saturday’s function.

“He has a warm and welcoming personality… He goes above and beyond to ensure his staff are okay. That kind of leadership leaves a mark,” she said.

Duncan was hailed as a transformational leader during his tenure in Manchester. Duncan has since been transferred to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), with Deputy Superintendent Odean Dennis taking the reins as commander in Manchester.

Outgoing commander for Manchester Superintendent Carey Duncan is flanked by senior officers and other personnel on Saturday night at an appreciation dinner in Mandeville.
(Photo: Kasey Williams)

Operations manager at the Mandeville Regional Hospital Nadine Samuels, commended Duncan for his stewardship, particularly in coordinating the police response in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa when patients had to be airlifted and transferred to Mandeville Regional.

“In those critical hours when our hospital needed the most, you made yourself available to us at a moment’s notice. You didn’t just send help, you lent us yourself and your team; you led with courage, calm and with commitment,” she said.

“There were nights when patients had to be airlifted from St Elizabeth, and the JCF was there to receive those patients,” she added.

Businessman Clive Wint, whose company C&D Construction was among the sponsors of the seven million dollar renovation of the commander’s suite conference room at the Mandeville police station, lauded Duncan for transforming infrastructure in the police division.

Duncan, in response to the commendations, underscored that the successes of the Manchester division resulted from the hard work of the personnel in the parish.

“In tough times you served with courage, discipline and above all you served with integrity, because of your work we have results that we can be proud of. In the year 2025, we achieved a 38 per cent reduction in murders across the parish… That represents lives that were saved,” he said.

“In 2025 we saw a 97 per cent clear-up rate in our murders across the parish,” he added.

Under Duncan’s stewardship, 52 police personnel were promoted.

Duncan encouraged police personnel and stakeholders to continue supporting the leadership of the Manchester division now led by DSP Dennis.

“I urge every member of staff, all my stakeholders, my colleagues to throw your support fully behind the new man in charge. He has very good plans for the parish,” said Duncan.

—Kasey Williams