Senior fire official facing sexual assault charges
Published:Thursday | August 17, 2023 | 12:12 AMJanet Silvera/Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
A 14-year-old National Youth Service (NYS) volunteer has reportedly been left traumatised after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a senior member of the Jamaica Fire Brigade who has been arrested and charged with attempted rape.
The officer, who heads region IV (western Jamaica) at the brigade, Assistant Commissioner Floyd McLean, was charged by the St James police Wednesday afternoon in Montego Bay, less than 24 hours after he was taken into custody.
He has worked with the organisation for 33 years.
McLean at one time was based in Manchester and Westmoreland. It was only three years ago that he was promoted to a senior rank.
According to reports, the 14-year-old met McLean while on the job. After he made advances at her, she reported the matter to her relatives, who took her to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse.
An investigation was carried out and McLean was arrested on Tuesday. However, members of the forensic unit were seen leaving his offices on Wednesday, where the incident reportedly took place. It is believed that evidence was found there earlier, prompting his arrest.
‘Make a report’
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Vernon Ellis would not confirm the findings of the detectives when he was asked by The Gleaner. However, he urged anyone with information or knowledge of the fire official’s involvement in any wrongdoings to come forward.
“If there are any victims, they should feel free to come in and make a report,” Ellis said.
A profile on McLean, posted on the brigade’s website, states that he wears many hats and has carried out assignments such as senior manager, area officer; divisional commander; fleet manager; fire safety practitioner; fire investigator (Structural, Arson, Bush) ;fire suppression operative; and policy development team member, just to name a few.
He currently holds a Commonwealth Executive Masters in Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management, Maintenance Management, and Strategic Command Course, a Diploma in Management Studies, and has completed various courses such as Structural Fire Investigation, a Supervisory Management Course, and Introduction to public speaking.