KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition spokesman on national security, Derrick Smith, says that, although he is not aware of any written rule for the police to be provided with transportation home after working late nights, it must be unusual – especially for women officers – to have to find their own way home after work.

“I don’t believe it is the custom for women in the police force to have to find their own way home after working at nights, especially a female officer who is on the frontline as a member of a unit which constantly has to confront armed criminals in her line of duty,” Smith told OBSERVER ONLINE Wednesday.

He said that he is aware that constable Crystal Thomas who was killed in Kingston Tuesday night is a member of a police unit which frequently confronts armed criminals in her line of duty.

However, he said that based on this occurrence, as well as the media reports suggesting that she was not taken to hospital immediately by the officers who arrived on the crime scene while she was on the ground bleeding, there needs to be a full investigation into the incident.

“There is the need for an investigation and a statement on the matter, so that the JCF can confirm or deny these issues, publicly,” Smith said.

Balford Henry