Police investigators say they are following several leads as they try to capture the killer who escaped with the policeman's service pistol.

According to the police, about 7:30 Thursday evening, Brown went to visit a friend in the section of Seaview Gardens known as 'Nitty Gritty'.

The cop was pounced on by a gunman who opened fire, hitting him. Brown, who was attached to the Constant Spring Police Station in the St Andrew North Division, died on the spot.

The killing was yesterday condemned by National Security Minister Dwight Nelson, who noted that Brown was the ninth policeman to be murdered in the island since the start of this year.

"This murderous action has once again brought to the fore the dangers faced by members of the security forces as they go about their daily duties to serve and protect, as well as their private lives," Nelson said.

"The attack on the armed forces also highlights the situation being experienced by civilians without the means to defend themselves," added Nelson.

force urged to be calm

The security minister urged members of the police force to be calm but strong in their resolve to bring the perpetrators of this cowardly act to swift justice.

He also urged all law-abiding citizens with information that can assist in bringing the killer to justice to come forward.

"It's time for us all to stand up and reclaim our country from these cowardly individuals," Nelson asserted.

The appeal was echoed by head of the St Andrew South Police, Superintendent Delroy Hewitt.

"We need information to help us find the killer of Constable Brown. I am therefore asking persons with information to call Police Control at 119, Crime Stop at 311 and Operation Kingfish at 811.

"These are secured lines and all information will be kept confidential," said Hewitt.

Also joining in the condemnation of the act was Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting.

"The Opposition is indeed troubled by this brazen attack on yet another of our service officers," said Bunting.

"We empathise with Constable Brown's family and friends, the Constant Spring police and the wider Constabulary Force, who must be shaken by this loss," added the Opposition spokesman.

Bunting went on to say the Opposition would continue to join forces with the Government to weed out the scourge of crime.