KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Police High Command, in a message to members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, says there is an apparent disregard for the proper care and handling of firearms in the possession of lawmen.

The High Command, through the police’s weekly Force Orders publication, stated that there has been a recent increase in the number of negligent discharges from firearms, and as a result reissued firearm guidelines, urging strict adherence and compliance.

The High Command said that at least four incidents occurred recently in which firearms were used by family members of police personnel to “maim or cause death to themselves or other family members.”

“In all four instances, the weapons were under the pillows of police while they slept”.

The most recent incident occurred last month where a two-year-old boy reportedly fatally shot himself with his father’s firearm in Portmore, St Catherine.

The police constable, who is assigned to the Mobile Reserve, went home after feeling ill and fell asleep with his service pistol under his pillow when the child got hold of the firearm.

It was further understood, that the policeman tried to take the gun away from the toddler when it went off killing the child.