KINGSTON, Jamaica—In a moving and impassioned address during the thanksgiving service for Detective Sergeant Kevin Mayne, Sergeant Arleen McBean, Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, called for resolute action against criminal elements and greater support for law enforcement officers. The service took place at the Eastwood Park New Testament Church of God on Saturday, where the memory of Detective Sergeant Mayne, who was tragically killed in the line of duty, was honored.
Referencing the controversial line in dancehall artist Eddy G Bomba’s song “No Cap,” McBean underscored the importance of law enforcement officers remaining vigilant and applying their training to effectively and safely respond when confronted by criminals. The line, which speaks of violence against police, served as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). “We are seeing videos being circulated where police officers are assaulted,” McBean noted, emphasizing the need for officers to stay alert and properly execute their training. “You have the full backing of the Police Federation,” she assured them.
Addressing wider systemic concerns, McBean spotlighted the role of media and societal messages that incite violence against both the police and citizens of Jamaica. She lamented the pervasive impact of harmful lyrics promoting anti-police sentiment and urged officers to remain steadfast in their duties.
Calling for an enhancement in police resources, McBean proposed the innovative use of technology, particularly drones, to aid in crime prevention and criminal apprehension. Drawing inspiration from the Jamaica 62 celebrations where thousands of drones were used in a display, she imagined the potential impact of equipping the JCF with similar technology. “No gunman, no guy, no boy would escape… we capture everything that is evidential,” she suggested vividly.
In a shift to a more somber tone, McBean called attention to the need for specialized protocols in hospitals for service members injured on duty. Recalling the pain of seeing Detective Sergeant Mayne and his shooter in the same hospital ward, she emphasized, “It is painful… when we go to hospitals and the man who just shot the police is on the same ward where the police is being treated.”
Detective Sergeant Kevin Mayne was fatally shot on July 22 at the Half-Way Tree Police Station in St Andrew by Deon Singh, who subsequently turned the firearm on himself. Singh, the owner of Deon Singh Auto on Hagley Park Road, had managed to disarm a policeman during his escort from court, leading to the tragic event.
As the community grapples with this loss, McBean’s address served as both a tribute to the fallen officer and a rallying cry for systemic improvements and unwavering resolve in the fight against crime.
