标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Jamaican authorities have publicly detailed their operational blueprint for responding to significant seismic events, emphasizing coordinated emergency management. Assistant Police Commissioner Dr. Gary McKenzie, overseeing Strategic Operations, articulated the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) structured approach during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank session on January 13.

The disclosure coincides with the nation’s observance of Earthquake Awareness Week (January 11-18), championed under the banner ‘Resilient Jamaica: We Weather the Storm and Brace for the Shake’.

Dr. McKenzie outlined the protocol: immediate activation of a central command headquarters followed by the swift establishment of subsidiary command units across all parishes. This foundational step ensures rapid deployment of resources and personnel. The strategy prioritizes seamless collaboration with critical national agencies, including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Works Agency (NWA), and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

A core component of the response is maintaining robust communication networks and achieving swift community penetration to manage public panic, direct traffic flow, and facilitate urgent aid. Citizens are urged to utilize official emergency channels to report crises promptly. The JCF, in tandem with the JFB, will secure perilous zones, implement necessary quarantines, and support search and rescue operations.

Commissioner McKenzie reassured the public of the force’s operational preparedness, noting that personnel are extensively trained and equipped to handle diverse scenarios, from structural collapses and fires to hazardous material spills. Furthermore, the contingency plan includes deploying Marine Police units and JDF Coast Guard assets to address potential maritime threats, such as oil spills from critical coastal infrastructure like the PetroJam refinery.

This initiative, spearheaded by ODPEM, aims to bolster societal resilience and enhance public consciousness regarding earthquake preparedness throughout Jamaica.

Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has documented a significant volume of misconduct allegations against security personnel, receiving 620 formal complaints between April and September 2025. The independent oversight agency recommended criminal charges against 34 law enforcement officers and disciplinary measures for an additional 30 personnel during this period.

The comprehensive data, legally mandated to be presented to Parliament, was disclosed through Indecom’s quarterly reports tabled on January 13, 2026. The April-June quarter accounted for 303 complaints, with assault cases (144) representing nearly half of all allegations. Other predominant categories included fatal shootings (72), neglect of duty (43), firearm discharges (30), and harassment (17).

Forensic specialists from Indecom conducted scene investigations at 96 incidents during the first quarter, primarily involving fatal shootings (72 cases), followed by shooting injuries (13), firearm discharges (8), and custody-related deaths (3). Geographically, Kingston and St. Andrew recorded the highest complaint volume with 117 reports, followed by St. Catherine (55), St. James (32), Westmoreland (23), and Hanover (13). Portland registered the fewest incidents at just three.

The commission finalized 113 investigative reports with recommendations, dismissing 89 cases as unsubstantiated while advancing 10 cases for disciplinary action against 12 officers and 14 cases for criminal prosecution against 18 officers. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions issued 17 rulings during this quarter, resulting in charges against six Jamaica Constabulary Force officers and one correctional officer. Notably, security force engagements resulted in 81 fatalities across 72 shooting incidents.

During the subsequent July-September quarter, Indecom received 317 new complaints, maintaining similar patterns with assault (126), fatal shootings (61), firearm discharges (52), neglect of duty (45), and unprofessional conduct (19) comprising the primary categories. Forensic teams responded to 94 incidents, including 60 fatal shootings, 14 firearm discharges, 12 shooting injuries, and 9 custody deaths.

Kingston and St. Andrew again led in complaint frequency (115), followed by St. Catherine (60), Westmoreland (26), St. James (19), and St. Thomas (17). The commission completed 119 reports, recommending disciplinary action for 18 officers and criminal charges for 16 officers. The ODPP issued 19 rulings, leading to charges against 11 JCF members.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican media community will gather to pay final respects to Donald Oliver, the acclaimed sports journalist whose sudden passing last month sent shockwaves through the nation. A formal funeral service has been scheduled for Saturday, January 24 at the University of the West Indies Mona Chapel, commencing at 11:00 am.

Oliver’s untimely death on December 30 at just 40 years old prompted an extraordinary outpouring of tributes from across Jamaican society. The profound impact of his loss was felt from the highest levels of government to opposition parties, sports organizations, and countless social media users who celebrated his contributions to sports journalism.

At the time of his passing, Oliver served as audiovisual manager at the Jamaica Observer Media Group, a position he had held since August 2025 following the closure of SportsMax. His distinguished career spanned over two decades, during which he established himself as a prominent figure in Jamaican media through previous roles at CVM TV and TVJ. Oliver was widely recognized as both a senior producer and high-profile commentator, earning numerous awards throughout his prolific career in sports broadcasting.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The New Haven Seventh Day Adventist Church in St Andrew became a place of solemn remembrance on Wednesday as hundreds gathered to honor the life and service of Constable Charles Stewart, slain in a tragic off-duty shooting incident last month.

The ceremony, described as both a funeral and thanksgiving service, brought together uniformed colleagues, grieving family members, and community supporters. Stewart and his fellow officer, Constable Jemarey Gordon, lost their lives on November 13, 2025, during a violent confrontation at a commercial establishment on Waltham Park Road. According to police reports, multiple assailants engaged the off-duty officers before one produced a firearm and shot both men in their upper torsos. The perpetrators fled the scene on foot, while the wounded constables were transported to a medical facility where they were subsequently pronounced deceased.

This double homicide triggered an intensive investigation by Jamaican law enforcement authorities, resulting in the apprehension and formal charging of two suspects currently facing justice.

During the emotional service, Sergeant Arleen McBean, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, delivered a poignant eulogy celebrating Stewart’s professional dedication and personal character. McBean’s tribute transcended individual mourning to address systemic challenges within the police force, highlighting critical issues such as officer working conditions, psychological morale, and institutional support structures for personnel and their families.

In a significant portion of her address, McBean directed criticism toward the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), articulating widespread frustration among rank-and-file officers regarding the oversight body’s operational methodologies and approach to police accountability.

Following the religious proceedings, Constable Stewart was laid to rest with full honors at Meadowrest Memorial Gardens in St Catherine, surrounded by a final salute from his comrades and the tearful farewells of loved ones.

In a pre-dawn law enforcement operation in St. Catherine, Jamaica, authorities have apprehended and formally charged a local resident with serious narcotics offenses. The suspect, identified as 49-year-old Garth Forbes from Passage Fort, Portmore, now confronts charges for both possession of and dealing in cocaine following Wednesday’s targeted raid.

According to official reports from the Greater Portmore Police Division, the incident unfolded approximately at 4:15 AM when a specialized police unit executed a strategic operation at Forbes’s residential property. During a thorough search of the premises, investigators reportedly discovered a quantity of cocaine concealed beneath the suspect’s bed, leading to immediate apprehension.

The successful operation culminated in Forbes’s arrest on site, with law enforcement officials subsequently processing formal charges against him. The judicial process will commence with his scheduled appearance before the St. Catherine Parish Court on Friday, January 23, where the allegations will be formally addressed within the Jamaican legal framework.

This enforcement action underscores the continued vigilance of Jamaican authorities in combating narcotics distribution networks within local communities, particularly in the St. Catherine region which has periodically faced drug-related law enforcement challenges.