84 / 494
83
4.90.
By 6.00 p.m. on 25 May, the security forces were able to dominate
the Denham Town community
The JCF – SSP Donovan Graham
4.91.
In May 2010, SSP Graham was attached to Mobile Reserve. He
was selected as the JCF’s Ground Commander for the Tivoli Gardens operation.
In support of him at the Bronze level were Supt. Winchroy Budhoo, DSP Everton
Tabannah, Supt. Warren Turner and DSP Lloyd Thomas.
4.92.
SSP Graham commanded 244 police officers. His understanding of
the respective roles of the JDF and JCF was that the JDF would take the lead in
the operation and the JCF would give support. The officers commanded by
SSP Graham left the JDF’s Headquarters at Up Park Camp for the area of
operation. About 11.00 a.m. they arrived at the Headquarters of Area 4. At the
intersection of West Street and Ocean Boulevard they were met with heavy
gunfire. They were obliged to get off their trucks and seek cover.
4.93.
It had been planned that the three Bronze Commanders of the JCF
would provide an outer cordon of support for the JDF but some of their
contingents took fire from gunmen soon after starting out for Tivoli Gardens.
Attacks against the JCF
4.94.
Although SSP Graham did not give detailed or chronological
evidence of gunfire encountered by the JCF, he did give some indication of the
reports of attacks made on the JCF. Thus, he said that DSP Tabannah “confirmed
getting into Java about 5.00 p.m. after a serious gunfight on Industrial Terrace.”
Similarly, according to SSP Graham, DSP Thomas did not get into sector 3 until
8.00 a.m. on 25 May and “after a serious gunfight”.
4.95.
SSP Graham also testified that officers of the JCF reported to him
that they met heavy gunfire on their way to KPH and two officers sustained