St Thomas cop killings deserve the strongest condemnation, says opposition

Opposition Leader Andrew Holness and his spokesman on national security, Derrick Smith, are condemning the brutal murder of two policemen and the injury of a civilian near Yallahs, St Thomas Tuesday night.

They describe the slaying of the two lawmen as a vicious and reprehensible attack on law and order that deserves the strongest condemnation.

The joint statement by Andrew Holness and Derrick Smith read: "Jamaica has witnessed another brazen attack on the State with the slaying of the two policemen in St Thomas.  The loss of any human life in this manner is tragic and jolting, however, when such attacks are directed against public servants and officers of the State, it takes on new meaning and reverberates a heightened terror in the society."

"The shooting death of the policemen and the injury of the civilian in Yallahs underscore not just the savagery of the criminal element, but a calculated brazenness. At a time when many are making preparations for the holidays and engaging in the festivies associated with the season, we have families, and indeed the entire Jamaica Constabulary Force, that have been plunged into mourning and immense grief. We sympathise with the friends and loved ones of the victims of this unspeakable horror and pray that they be comforted and strengthened in this their hour of bereavement.  Jamaica mourns with them and speaks with one voice in our condemnation of murder and vicious attacks on the State."

Holness and Smith are urging police commissioner Dr Carl Williams to mobilise the resources necessary to quickly apprehend those responsible for the slaying of the lawmen, and send the strongest signal possible that their callousness and barbarity have no place in our society.