NEW LASCO/JCF POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR HAILS FROM THE SPECIAL ANTI-CRIME TASK FORCE

The LASCO/JCF Police Officer of the Year for 2006-2007 is Sergeant Linroy Edwards from the Special Anti-crime Task Force.

He emerged the winner from a group of ten finalists for the award at today’s LASCO/JCF Police Officer of the Year (POY) Awards Ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Sergeant Edwards took first place after being scrutinised by a panel of judges at the parish, divisional and national levels over the last few months, on the criteria of professionalism, community service, exemplary behaviour and dedication to the police force .The panel of judges comprised representatives from the JCF, media, LASCO and public sector entities.

Among the prizes won by the Top Cop are: a trophy, cash prize of $200,000 and a three-year scholarship valued at $300,000.

In accepting the award Sergeant Edwards noted that the “rigorous selection process” of the LASCO/JCF POY competition, has equipped all the finalists to be more proactive and dedicated in their policing stategies. Praising LASCO as a vital corporate partner in nation building, he “dedicated this award to those police officers who continue to give outstanding service despite the hardships.”

Addressing today’s LASCO/JCF Awards Ceremony, Mr. Lascelles Chin, Chairman and CEO of the LASCO Group of Companies expressed concern over the island’s heavy death toll, including the fatal attacks on the police. “Six policemen killed in forty-three days since the year, translates into almost one cop killed per week. LASCO Group of companies is outraged and appalled by the wanton slaughter of our policemen,” said Mr. Chin. “Also, a death toll for the island of over 125 lives in one month is gruesome by any standards.”

Expressing condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of policemen killed since the start of this year, the LASCO CEO called on citizens to support the law enforcement officers in the fight against crime. “Anti-crime plans can’t work without our input. We must stop cowering in fear and tell the police what we know. I call on all Jamaicans to respect our policemen and women, and to work with them to make this land safe for us, for our children and for generations to come,” Mr. Chin urged.

He called on the law officers to stay focused and unyielding in providing positive policing strategies, despite the attacks on their members.
 
Issuing a special appeal for families, communities, churches, and the private sector to take a firm stand in denouncing crime, LASCO CEO continued, “If we leave our policemen and women alone on the frontline of crime fighting, we do so to our own peril...There is no place in Jamaica for the onlookers, fence ‘straddlers’ or bystanders in the fight against crime.”

Pointing out that Jamaica is demanding accountability from its police officers, Mr. Chin advised members of the force: “Do not let us down – all law-abiding Jamaicans are counting on you to give exemplary service at all times. Shun bribery. Serve the nation with honesty, respect for others and respect for self.”

Guest speaker at today’s Awards ceremony, Professor E. Nigel Harris Vice Chancellor of the UWI emphasised that a consistent collaborative effort is required from all sectors of the society to build a culture of peace and tolerance. He pointed out that the UWI stands “ready to work with you on all fronts as we address these challenges”.

Noting that the UWI have several programmes and initiates which explore the crime and security orientation in the region, Professor Harris noted that the time is right for a University-wide umbrella organization to be established to address issues relating to crime  “It is proposed that an Institute of Criminal Justice and Security be established which will have three principal objectives: research in crime, security and the justice system, the delivery of education and training to regional law enforcement personnel, and the provision of consultancy services and policy advice to regional governments,” said the UWI Vice Chancellor.

LASCO has committed millions of dollars to the POY Awards, which is being staged for the sixth year. This year, LASCO doubled the cash value of the prize for the Top Cop as well as for the first and second runners up. For the first time since the launch of the competition six years ago, a three-year Scholarship valued at $300,000 was given to the winner and a one-year scholarship of $100,000 given to the first runner up.

Sergeant Gary McKenzie of the Traffic Division and Constable Julio Francis of the Portland Division and were the first and second runners up respectively.

Over the years, LASCO has also rewarded and publicized the contributions of patriotic Jamaicans through its Nurse of the Year, Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Programmes.