The Minister of National Security joins the Commissioner of Police in condemning the brutal murder of two policemen in St. Thomas last night.

Corporal Kenneth Davis attached to Protective Services Division and Constable Craig Palmer, attached to the Kingston Western Division, were ambushed while playing a game of dominoes with friends in their community.  Commenting on the incident, the Minister said, “this demonstrates the risk that the police are constantly exposed to by virtue of their occupation and incidents of this nature remind us of the extremely difficult challenges facing the security forces, and the great sacrifices they continue to make in the fight to rid Jamaica of the scourge of crime and violence.”

Minister Bunting noted that one of the officers killed was from the Kingston West Division, which had already lost two members of their team this year at the hands of criminals, and pleaded with members of the public to help the police in their investigations by providing them with any with information that may lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.

The Minister continued, “I express deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, and communities that have tragically lost these policemen and call upon all law abiding citizens to support the police in apprehending the culprits of this heinous crime. ”

The Minister took the opportunity to remind citizens that, “The Christmas Season is one of the most demanding times of the year for the security forces as they give up time with their own families to keep Jamaicans safe during this very active period.   Whatever the public can do to make it easier for the police and military during this Season will be appreciated e.g. to be more disciplined on the roads, to observe the public order regulations, to pass information about criminal activity, or simply to remember them in your prayers.”