Following the death of a second member of the police force this week, Dr. Peter Phillips, Minister of National Security, has described the latest killing as an attempt by criminals to "weaken the defences of the security force."

He was responding to the gun slaying of 43-year-old district constable Lynford Dennisur, who was attached to the Frome police division in Westmoreland. His death came less than 48 hours after 21-year-old Special Constable Conroy Reid was fatally shot in Portmore, St. Catherine.

In a statement issued yesterday, Dr. Phillips said: "The criminal assault on our law enforcement personnel and security infrastructure warrants an immediate and forceful response."

According to reports, DC Dennisur was at a business place at Hudson Street when he was approached by two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun.

The men demanded that Dennisur hand over his gun, but he refused.

A struggle ensued following which the lawman was shot and his weapon stolen.

He was pronounced dead at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital.