Sister cops
New graduate of police college inspired by older sibling in contributing to nation’s security
Published:Monday | September 2, 2024 | 12:09 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
Last Wednesday’s graduation ceremony at the National Police College of Jamaica would have been a special occasion for the more than 100 new Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) members who are now certified law-enforcers.
For one new policewoman, 23-year-old Dedranae Turnbull of Highbury Road district in Alexandria, St Ann, the ceremony, however, held a deeper, more significant meaning.
The occasion saw Dedranae once again following in the footsteps of her older sister, Natoya Turnbull, 30, who joined the JCF in 2018.
Prior to joining the force, Dedranae had followed in her older sibling’s footsteps, as both were coworkers at security company King Alarm.
“She’s my motivator, my biggest support system,” Dedranae, who turns 24 this month, told The Gleaner on Friday.
“She entered the force and, because of her, the motivation, you know, I followed her and now I’m a police officer. I’m feeling very excited because I waited four years for this and I did it by the grace of God, so I’m very excited, very happy,” she added.
‘Lots of opportunities’
Dedranae is unsure where she will be placed to work and, while she has her son back home in St Ann, she is quite aware that she won’t necessarily be placed in her home parish.
“Let’s wait and see. I have a son to go back home to, but the work must go on.”
Outside of just following in her sister’s footsteps, Dedranae has her own reasons for joining the police force.
“I see that joining the force presents lots of opportunities for you. I want to continue to send myself to school. I grew up in a family that doesn’t really have it but they try; I want to go out there, I want to put myself further,” she explained.
While she is starting at the lowest rung, that of constable, she is looking forward to a successful career and is confident that before long she will begin moving up the promotional ladder.
Natoya, who has been a firearm instructor for nearly two years now, would have been there at the graduation ceremony with other relatives and friends, cheering on her trusted sister as she joined her in the JCF.
“It is indeed a great feeling to know that we’re the only children for our father and, by her expression, I would have inspired her, so it is indeed a great feeling to know that I can set that step for her to follow,” Natoya said.
“Before I joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 2018, I was working with King Alarm and she also used to work with King Alarm before she was enlisted in the Jamaica Constabulary Force. So, I’ve been literally paving the way for her for a while now. So, I am proud, I am proud,” she repeated for emphasis.