‘Tragic loss’

Describing the death of 26-year-old policewoman Donique Anderson as “a tragic loss”, National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has promised that the State, through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), will take steps to provide more than the usual assistance to the family of a fallen colleague.

Anderson died on Christmas Eve at the University Hospital of the West Indies where she was being treated for liver disease.

The policewoman, whose plight came to national attention earlier this year, was hailed by Chang for making her mark despite her relatively short five years in the police force.

“She was a brilliant young officer: a fighter,” he told The Gleaner.

Last May, the Jamaica Police Federation sent Anderson to the United States (US) with the understanding that arrangements had been made for her to see a doctor at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan about her condition.

Her mother, Gem Donald, told The Gleaner at the time, however that, three days after her arrival there had been no update on the plans and that, with Anderson’s condition worsening, they were advised to return to Jamaica as it was proving difficult to get the Jamaican on the liver transplant list in the US.

Among the hurdles faced by Anderson in the US were her lack of insurance and her legal status in the country.

A long process

Yesterday, Chang noted that liver disease and a liver transplant were not common occurrences and it was difficult to assess the assistance that was needed.

He said, however, that efforts were being made to assist Anderson when she died.

“Liver transplant is an expensive process and a long process, especially to get on the transplant list, but the JCF tried to assist,” he told The Gleaner, countering and ongoing narrative on social media accusing the police hierarchy and the State of failing the young policewoman.

Anderson’s funeral has been set for January 20 in Trelawny.

Donald said her daughter’s body was expected to be released today and will be transported to a funeral home in Trelawny.

Sergeant Wayne Wallace, community officer for Trelawny, based in Falmouth, told The Gleaner he has been with the family and grief counselling is being provided.

“Donique’s death is a blow to all of use. Those who knew her and those who knew of her are all affected by her death. Her death has affected the entire police force and indeed the entire country,” he said.

Wallace commended members of the diaspora for the assistance they provided to Anderson and her mother while they were in the US.

“The diaspora, especially the Northeast, was very instrumental in helping her,” he said.

Since Anderson’s return to the island, she had been in and out of hospital until her death.

Alsion Wilson, Jamaica’s consul general to New York, who was instrumental in getting Anderson treated at Harlem Hospital during her stay in New York, expressed sorrow at the passing of the young constable whom she referred to as a “beacon of strength and dedication to the Jamaica Constabulary Force”.

Said the consul general: “Her unwavering resilience amid health challenges was a testament to her indomitable spirit.”

Anderson, who was the sole woman in her 2019 graduating batch of 196 constables and who topped the group with the highest score, had been carving a distinguished path in her career.

Despite her illness, she served first at Four Paths Police Station and later in other sections of Clarendon.

editorial@gleanerjm.com