Stemming the Tide of Murder-Suicides in the Jamaican Constabulary Force

 By: Kymberli Whittaker

"He was a hardworking officer, we never saw it coming"...."How could he do this to his family?"...."What could lead him to this point to kill himself?".... "Could I have done more to help?"...Heart wrenching musings of persons who battle with knowing the perpetrator of a murder-suicide".

Murder-suicide, refers to an incident where a homicide/ killing is committed followed by the perpetrator's suicide almost immediately or within 24 hours after the homicide. Murder is a crime which has to some extent become desensitized  in our society as a result of the steady and unabating occurrence in Jamaica which is captured in explicit detail by our media houses.  We simply ignore  crimes until we or our loved ones are  the ones affected.

Murder-suicides however  in relation to other crimes are relatively uncommon but are increasing at an alarming rate in one particular sector in Jamaica; the sector where the persons vow  “To Protect and Serve”: The Jamaican Constabulary Force.

There are no statistics detailing the frequency of the occurrence of this phenomenon in Jamaica, however reading our nations newspapers or watching our daily news, it has become evident that occurrence is increasing in regularity to the demise of our nation.

We are quick to condemn family members, spouses or affiliates of gunmen who end up  losing their lives or being hurt at the hands of those criminals, yet we as a nation are not removing the veils from our eyes to see that the carrying of a firearm even though legal, puts the family, friends and affiliates of the legal firearm holder at risk. At any time, given the state of mind of the holder anyone can die. It is a sad fact that being a Police Officer does not preclude them from committing a crime and we need to step up to the plate and be able to identify warning signs in the otherwise “law-abiding” citizen, to protect ourselves as it is not guaranteed that we can trust them to protect us.

I categorically state that there is a dilemma in our Police Force.  It is evident that needs are not being effectively met, police officers are slipping through the cracks and they are killing others and themselves. I am not able to speak to the Jamaica Defence Force as even though charged with similar duties, the transgressions of that group are not splattered across our headlines, however the legal gun touters in the JCF are committing crimes not only against themselves but against the wider populace.

It would appear based on the news reports that in Jamaica, Most murder-suicides are spousal/consortial, involving a man killing his wife, girlfriend, ex-wife, or ex-girlfriend, and it is safe to say that most if not all are committed by men. Where the public has to worry about crime perpetuated by stranger, family members and intimate partners of the officers in the police force have a lot to be worried  about and they may be in a real danger which may be concealed from the not so observant onlooker.

Pressure

When the pressure erupts in the life of an officer, anyone in their life may be at risk .I will not in any way seek to down-play the role of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the life of an officer, as the work which they undertake on a daily basis may be quite stressful…working long hours to protect citizens in a system which sees them as “Babylon”..they are disrespected by many citizens and to add to this, their pay is not commensurate with the daily risks which they take. All of these factors compounded with the taking of a life in the course of duty which  has psychological repercussions may not be addressed adequately in training and throughout their lifetime of service

Police are expected to take command of all situations, they are who we turn to when we are in need of help. Who are they to turn to? Men especially in Jamaica are not bred or socialized to show weaknesses and thus internalize any signs which would deem them as being weak which is synonymous with being incapable. Police officers are not only men, but they are seen as the “Law” or “Enforcers of the Law”. Yes there is the Chaplaincy Unit or Counselling unit of the JCF which is an avenue for Officers who are not coping to get assistance, but how many Officers will in a emasculating move accept that they are buckling under the pressures of service: I assure you- not many.

Power of the gun

Many underestimate the power of the gun- the feel of an instrument which guarantees you automatic fear or respect from others. Handling one daily may give the holder a feeling of being untouchable as they are the ones in control, but yet off the job they have to contend with personal relationships which may not be going in their way. They control their world while on the clock, but while off the clock, what do they have to do to maintain the respect in their family lives? Some officers resort to violence, they are not bred to talk and reason, instead they are bred to use actions instead of words. When this switch cannot be turned off while in the home arena, problems arise, ranging from verbal disagreements to domestic violence and sadly ultimately to death.This is exacerbated by financial distress, substance abuse or being investigated, internally or by IINDECOM. 

Police Officers face unique stresses , however they are less likely to ask for help. We cannot assume that they have their lives together, more needs to be done, or else these spate of murder-suicides will continue. Periodic mental evaluation of officers is key as our officers are at risk of losing perspective and becoming lethally broken

The signs are there

I cannot accept that no-one saw the changes coming in the officer to result in a murder-suicide . The signs no matter how minute are  there The duty rests on everyone to protect themselves and speak up to assist their loved ones. Report any disturbing behaviour to save not only yourselves but also them, because at the end of the day, the “I should have” or “I wish I had” will not turn back the hands of time and save lives.