Police Federation concerned about transportation for cops

The Jamaica Police Federation is raising concern about transportation arrangements for police personnel at the end of their shifts following last evening’s slaying of a policewoman.

Woman constable Crystal Thomas was shot and killed by armed robbers while on a bus travelling along Spanish Town Road in Kingston about 8:30 in the evening.

It is reported that the policewoman, who was based at the Denham Town police station in Kingston, had just left work.

Police Federation chairman, Sergeant Raymond Wilson says the policewoman's death has brought into sharp focus the transportation issue on which cops have been lobbying the government for the last five years.

Wilson notes some groups of public sector workers are provided with transportation to and from work, yet police personnel who carry out such a sensitive job are not afforded the same consideration.

The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre understands that armed robbers entered the bus on which Thomas was travelling and proceeded to search the passengers.

The police say when it was discovered that she was a policewoman the robbers diverted the bus and shot her at point blank range.

She reportedly received injuries to her head and neck and was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Wilson says the entire country should be mourning the fact that Thomas was killed simply for being a cop.