MP condemns murder of Clarendon cop
CENTRAL Clarendon Member of Parliament, Mike Henry has expressed regret at the tragic death last Saturday of police corporal Paul McDonald.
Corporal McDonald was gunned down in a bar on Williams Avenue, May Pen in Central Clarendon and was the first police officer to be murdered this year.
In expressing condolences to colleagues, friends and family of the corporal, Henry said it was “indeed sad that the officer, who was known to be an easygoing person, was so coldly and callously cut down in the midst of having weekend refreshments with friends, which is something which virtually all Jamaican men do at different intervals”.
At the same time, Henry said he believed Corporal McDonald’s murder would stir the Clarendon police to intensify their already highly proactive crime-fighting initiatives, in the face of such brazen acts of criminality, in a once calm and peaceful community.
The MP said he had faith in the ability of the police to put a lid on criminal activities in May Pen and the wider parish. Noted that community support is being given to the lawmen, including the relocation of the May Pen Police Station, to the former Eagle Commercial Bank building in the town. That community initiative, he said, was being effected out of recognition of the need for the police to be better facilitated in the execution of us demanding and challenging duties.
Henry said that while Corporal McDonald paid a heavy price for the responsibilities he carried, “it was quite heartening to note the broad show of support from his colleagues and various sections of the constabulary force, in this hour of tragedy in Clarendon”.