Murdered cop identified

The police have released the name of their colleague who was shot and killed in St. Catherine last night.

He is Special Constable Duan Peart who was assigned to the Spanish Town Family Court.

He is the second cop to be killed since the start of the year.

Reports indicate that Special Constable Peart was shot several times after he was stopped by men dressed in police uniforms along Grange Lane in Portmore.

The police have not confirmed that report.

Other reports indicate that he had stopped to assist a motorist, when his attackers pounced, shooting him once.

One eyewitness say the wounded cop ran and was chased and shot two more times by a group of five gunmen.

In the meantime, Commissioner of police Owen Ellington is reminding all police personnel across the island to be careful when conducting their duties and while off duty.

He has described the murder of Special Constable Peart as inhumane, heartless and vicious.

The commissioner is warning that the police will not be deterred but will continue to lawfully respond to all threats against personnel.

Commissioner Ellington said members of the force’s Chaplaincy Unit and the Community Safety and Security Branch will provide counseling and offer whatever assistance necessary to ease the grief of persons connected to Special Constable Peart.

Meanwhile, Commandant of the Island Special Constabulary Force, James Golding, said the organisation is in deep mourning following the Special Constable’s death.

He noted that the murder is of great concern as the ISCF has lost two of its members since last week.

Special Constable Troy Foster was shot and killed in Malvern St. Elizabeth during a police operation last Thursday.

Commandant Golding said the mood in the ISCF is sad and gloomy.

However, he adds that members remain committed to the cause of policing in a professional manner despite the attacks on his colleagues by lawless gunmen.

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