DEAD OR ALIVE

WESTERN BUREAU:

Local law enforcement officials are being urged to defend themselves whenever they come under attack from criminals.

Sergeant Arleen McBean, chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, gave the charge as she delivered a tribute on behalf of the federation during Saturday’s thanksgiving service for late police Constable Ricardo Fairclough.

“I am going to use this platform as a leader to encourage every single rank-and-file member, when the criminal comes in like a flood, under the spirit of God, use your training and the necessary and justifiable strike against them. Take them in, whether vertically or horizontally,” McBean said while referencing Isaiah 59:19-20.

Fairclough, who was assigned to the St Ann Divisional Operational Support Unit, was shot in the parish capital on April 15. It is reported that he was on Bravo Street when a man shot and injured a woman. While attempting to assist the woman, Fairclough was shot in the upper body.

Father of three

The slain policeman was born and raised in Litchfield, Trelawny. He moved to St Ann as a young adult and later got married. He was the father of three children.

Fairclough was 44 years old at the time of his passing.

Siraldo Butler was shot and killed during a confrontation with the police in relation to the shooting death of Fairclough, while 29-year-old Oshane Davis of Ulster Spring in Trelawny has been charged with murder, shooting with intent, possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammunition.

In the meantime, McBean further stressed the importance of fostering a partnership between law enforcement and Jamaican citizens. She also urged that local social media influencers play a part by urging criminals to turn in their guns.

“We are angered as a police federation when we see the social and moral decay in the society. We hurt, we cry, we speak, but it is time for action.

“Today is about partnership. When gunman kill any agent of the state, it can’t be business as usual. We must unite as police and citizens. No criminal element must feel that you kill a police [officer] and it’s a holiday for you,” said McBean.

While acknowledging the presence of Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake, the chairman went on to pledge the full support of federation members in the fight against criminals across the island.

“I am happy our commissioner is here. Dr Blake, I stand as the new leader of the Police Federation to let you know, sir, we are ready to walk in the trenches and gutters. We are ready to take the guns off the roads. We are ready to turn in the criminal elements because, let me tell you something citizens of Jamaica, we are under crisis.”

Fairclough is being remembered as a devoted Christian who lived and loved openly. He was a member of the Kingdom Lighthouse Apostolic Ministries International in St Ann, where he was a deacon, and the Wait-A-Bit Pentecostal in Trelawny.

McBean also spoke glowingly of the life lived by the slain constable, who posted multiple videos preaching the gospel on his social media pages.

“Fairclough gave clear instructions. He used Second Corinthians 10:4. He told us that the weapons of our warfare, they are not carnal, but mighty in pulling down strongholds. We need to take back Jamaica from the hands of criminals.”

At the same time, McBean urged that Fairclough’s final heroic act be recognised, on a national level, with a posthumous medal for gallantry on National Heroes Day. She said this step must be taken to show his family “that the blood sweat and sacrifice was not in vain”.

“We must see his widow and daughters walking along King’s House getting a posthumous award, a medal for gallantry,” she said.

rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com