OUTGOING Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Charmaine Shand has described the fatal shooting of two policemen during a gunbattle in Five Miles, Sligoville, St Catherine, last week as a painful loss for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Shand, who is to officially retire on November 1, after 38 years in the JCF, used the handover of seven vehicles to the JCF’s Resort Area Division by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) on Tuesday to pay tribute to Corporal Trevoy Shaw and Constable Devoney Rose who lost their lives in the firefight.

She told the ceremony that the loss of the two cops would remain with her beyond her service in the force.

“For today and the rest of my time in the JCF and beyond, I am sure that we will continue to mourn these two young police officers who were out there on operational activities,” Shand said at the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch headquarters in Kingston.

She was supported by Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett who led the ceremony into a tribute to the two cops.

“I want to start off by asking everyone to join me in a moment of silence in respect of our two fallen brothers on the front-line duty protecting Jamaica — Corporal Trevoy Shaw and Constable Devoney Rose. May their souls rest in peace and perpetual light shine on them,” said Bartlett.

He argued that the sacrifices made by the men and women of the JCF are what allow tourism to flourish.

For his part, TPDCo Executive Director Wade Mars described the death of the two cops as the ultimate sacrifice.

“Over the past couple of days, we have been mourning with the police, having lost Corporal Shaw and Constable Rose when they’re doing their duty. It hurts because it is the ultimate sacrifice,” Mars said.

He criticised disparaging comments on social media following the deaths and urged law-abiding Jamaicans to demonstrate their support for the JCF.

“And even what hurts more is when you see some comments made by despicable people on social media who don’t understand that it’s us versus them. It is the law-abiding citizens and the police versus the criminals who want to destroy Jamaica, land we love.

Outgoing Assistant Commissioner of Police Charmaine Shand mourns the death of fallen police officers at the handover ceremony of seven vehicles to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Resort Area Division at the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch headquarters in Kingston on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

“We must express our support for the police every single chance we get so that criminals understand that Jamaica is not for them. It is for law-abiding citizens and those who want to uplift the society,” charged Mars.

The two cops were among five people killed last Friday morning as a team from the JCF’s Special Operations Unit went in search of wanted men in the Five Miles area of Sligoville.

The cops were reportedly clearing a building on the premises when they were met with gunfire from men who had barricaded themselves inside the house among other occupants. During the exchange, a young girl who was inside the building reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.

Shaw was pronounced dead on Friday following the confrontation, while Rose subsequently succumbed to his injuries at hospital on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mars handed over two all-terrain vehicles, four motorcycles, and a pickup truck valued collectively at $20 million as part of a partnership between TPDCo and the JCF to enhance safety and security in Jamaica’s resort areas.

According to Mars, TPDCo has always shown its support for the work done by the police and pointed out that the additional vehicles would strengthen the operational capacity of cops through the Special District Constables Programme.

He argued that the destination development must extend beyond physical infrastructure and visitor experiences to include systems that help residents and visitors feel safe and confident in resort communities.

“This occasion is especially meaningful as TPDCo celebrates its 30th anniversary. For three decades, our organisation has played a pivotal role in shaping, supporting, and strengthening Jamaica’s tourism product. Throughout that journey, our principle has remained constant: Tourism succeeds when people feel safe, welcomed, and cared for. Today’s handover is, therefore, very much in keeping with the legacy of TPDCo,” said Mars.

Commenting on the handover, Bartlett said, “Today’s exercise is about ensuring that the men and women charged with protecting our visitors, citizens, and communities have the resources they need to carry out their duties effectively.

“It is also about reaffirming our commitment to maintaining Jamaica as the world’s most welcoming, resilient, and trusted tourism destination. Tourism as we know is built on confidence. Before a visitor books a ticket, reserves an accommodation, visits an attraction, or recommends Jamaica to family and friends, they must have confidence in the destination. They must believe that Jamaica is safe, organised, welcoming, and capable of delivering on its promises.”