Commish thanks public for assistance

POLICE COMMISSIONER Major General Antony Anderson has heaped praises on the public for giving the police information which resulted in the man responsible for killing two cops being cut down after he again challenged the security forces in another firefight.

“I have to thank all the people who expressed their support and also gave information to us that we could follow up as quickly as we did. It really speaks to the benefit of what public support can do for us in policing,” Anderson said yesterday during a Jamaica House briefing.

The police said 39-year-old Damion Hamilton, a deportee, was shot dead in a major security operation in Cooreville Gardens yesterday afternoon and is said to be the man who opened fire on the cops in Horizon Park, St Catherine.

GOOD POLICE OFFICERS KILLED

Dane Biggs and Decardo Hylton, who served the JCF for 10 and four years respectively, were killed yesterday in the attack on the men in uniform.

“Both officers have really given good service over the period that they served. They were actually really good police officers and we no longer have the benefit of their experience and service.”

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang during the briefing requested 60 seconds of silence for the men in uniform who were slain.

Chang said quality intelligence led the police to Horizon Park but they were attacked as they announced their presence formally.

“Criminals have no rules, so while the police officers have to be mindful of their professional standards and citizens’ rights while carrying out such operations, the criminals who infest our community and plague our citizens are oftentimes feared and shoot with impunity wherever they are,” Chang said.

“They are brutal in their activity,” he added, vowing that the police force will not bow to criminals.