WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Following the suspected suicide of a constable in the parish, head of the Westmoreland Police Division, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Wayne Josephs is appealing to officers battling mental health challenges to utilise resources within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) that tend to the psychological welfare of cops.

Josephs cited the chaplaincy and medical services departments among the resources that are there to help officers.

Corporal Horace McDermott is suspected to have committed suicide at his Llandilo home, on Tuesday night. He was 58.

READ: Westmoreland cop suspected of committing suicide

It is reported that a neighbour discovered McDermott’s lifeless body at his home, shortly after 9:30 am, with one gunshot wound to his head. His firearm was found close beside him.

“I just want to appeal to other members of the JCF, out there, that if you need help there are mechanisms within the force to address these things; such as the chaplaincy services and the medical services branch,” the top cop urged.

Josephs told OBSERVER ONLINE that the officers, in the division, are in a sombre mood following the incident.

“I want to take this opportunity to offer my condolences on behalf of the Westmoreland division to the family and relatives of [corporal] McDermott and the wider JCF,” he said.

Meanwhile a neighbour, who did not want to be identified by name, described the late corporal as a “good neighbour”.

“As a community man if we have any problem we can call him and we can talk or if wi wah likkle advice wi call him and him give wi,” the neighbour said.

The neighbour added that the incident has left the community in shock.

“Mi nay expect fi hear dis. Mackie mi call him. Him was a good neighbour,” the seemingly distraught man said.

McDermott is said to have served the JCF for a number of years, and was assigned to the Frome Police station.

Residents said the late corporal was going through a rocky divorce.