I wish to publicly express my deep regret at the brutal killing of Corporal Cornell Grant and Corporal Delano Lawrence in my constituency last Friday.  Consistent with the no tolerance approach to crime which I have voiced time and again, I also openly condemn this vicious and barbaric assault on the slain police officers. I have met with the senior officers in charge of the West Kingston Police Division and have also written to the relatives of the slain police officers, expressing my sorrow at this senseless act of violence.

In my fifteen and a half years as Member of Parliament, these are the first killings of police officers in my constituency, of which I am aware.  Apart from the obvious tragedy, the killings are completely inconsistent with the extended period of violence-free stability being enjoyed by all communities in South St. Andrew. A period which has facilitated the resumption and expansion of a wide range of community activities - sporting, religious, educational and cultural.  The ongoing Corner League competition, involving 22 football and 13 netball teams from all communities, is but one example of the result of this period of peace.

The police presence in the constituency is a critical factor in sustaining the peace which has been achieved and, as is widely known, the political leadership of South St. Andrew has always, unequivocally, supported the Security Forces in the execution of their duties in fighting crime.  The reactions of the citizens of the constituency, in general, and those of Trench Town, in particular, are therefore not surprising. Their outcry at the killings confirms that there is no place for criminal elements in the constituency of South Saint Andrew and absolutely no support for the perpetrators of this horrific attack on Constables Grant and Lawrence.

If anything, this tragedy has strengthened the resolve of all decent, law-abiding citizens of the constituency to increase their support for, and collaboration with, members of the Security Forces, in maintaining law and order and stability in our communities. Again, I condemn the actions of the responsible individuals and ask that they turn themselves in to the police so that justice may take its course.

Omar Davies
Member of Parliament for South St. Andrew

Date               May 25, 2008