Ill cop says abandoned by force but JCF denies claim

In her hour of greatest need, a gravely ill cop with 12 years of service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said she has been shunned by her colleagues and is in desperate need of assistance.

Grace-Ann Williams, 39, was diagnosed with ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids nearly two years ago.

Soon after her diagnosis, the Special Operations constable said it became increasingly difficult to work.

Having gone on sick leave but still unable to return to work, Williams requested that her sick leave be extended.

She is now on unpaid leave. Her supervisor, she said, has dismissed her illness and has advised that she resume duty.

In an interview with The Gleaner on Wednesday, Williams said that she was able to make one doctor’s visit and undergo a laser procedure which was unsuccessful. The next step doctors have advised is for her to remove her womb.

But with no income and family to help her, she is now turning to the public for assistance.

Williams’ physical appearance has changed significantly. She has a distended abdomen and suffers from chronic abdominal pain and frequent bleeding.

The constable, who lives alone and is without electricity and running water, said her sickness has taken a toll on her psychological health as well.

She said that it particularly broke her heart that her colleagues and supervisor from the Greater Portmore Police Station have not come to her aid as her health deteriorates.

“My supervisors came here. They saw my condition and they went back and say that they don’t think that I am that sick, so they write that they cut my pay, so I don’t have enough money to support utilities and medical and other expenses,” Williams said.

“... You have been protecting them and they have been protecting you for 12 years and they turn their back on you ... . It is very depressing,” she added.

Williams has been receiving food from her landlady, who has also extended an electrical outlet from her own residence to power a fan.

“If we don’t give her food, she don’t eat,” the landlady said.

But according to the landlady, she won’t be able to provide housing for Williams for much longer, as her backlogged rent is approximately $260,000.

However, a JCF official told The Gleaner that Williams’ supervisors are aware of her illness and have made multiple failed attempts to contact her.

According to the official, who requested not to be identified, a team visited St Mary, where her address is listed, in search for her.

Williams, however, has been residing at her current Portmore, St Catherine, address for the past seven years, the same location where she claimed senior officers had visited her on approximately five occasions, four of which were to collect sick leave and other documents.

The JCF official said that after Williams’ initial sick leave expired, she was given a further 70 days of vacation leave for recuperation after surgery. That expired November 21, 2021.

“She has not resumed work. They have not been getting any sick leave from her; they have made several efforts to find her,” the police official said.

“After being out for so long, they have to make the necessary administrative recommendation that her salary was stopped, but it was just after all that attempt was made ... [as] nobody could get in touch,” the official said.

It has been disclosed that the JCF has recently reached her via telephone and has established a stay at the JCF’s convalescent home, a facility for force members recovering from injuries sustained in the line of duty or those who have been afflicted by chronic illnesses and other health concerns.

“They want to help her, the police force wants to help her,” the representative said.

“I can tell you that within the JCF, we have a robust welfare system that treats with members who are sick. Even if they don’t have the money to pay for healthcare, the organisation has things in place to treat with it, so I find it strange that she would be out there like that and not having the kind of support. It’s not true,” the source said.

Persons wishing to assist Williams can do so through bank transfer at:

Bank name: Bank of Nova Scotia

Bank A/C number: 509051

Name: Trudy Loutin

Bank Branch: Portmore

Type: Savings

Williams can also be contacted via telephone at 876-403-1087 or 876-333-1312.

asha.wilks@gleanerjm.com