Numbing, furious, grief-stricken and helpless are but a few of the emotions overwhelming policemen and women in the aftermath of the violent killing of one of their colleagues.

By their own account, police personnel are hit hard by news that their friends and colleagues are gunned down senselessly.

Since the start of the year, six policemen have been killed. The most recent incident occurred Sunday night when a sergeant was gunned down at his business place on Eastwood Park Road in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew.

Corporal Lawrence (who wished not to give his full name), said when his colleagues are killed, it is a sad feeling, which tends to take some time to go away.

Threats add scare

He said it was even worse when the police death was followed by a series of threats.

"I feel fearful when threats are sent out. It can be very scary, but I always find ways to deal with it," he lamented.

But even when the cop is trying to cope, his progress is sometimes hampered by recurring incidents.

"Sometimes when I am recuperating, another news hits me, and so it can be very challenging," he said.

The officer, however, said the job of policing must be done and he would never allow the fearful moments to cripple his effort to fight the deadly monster of crime.

Deep fear

Another male officer, who is attached to the St Catherine South division, said he also experienced fear.

He said depending on the relationship he had with the slain cop he has to receive counselling.

A female member attached to the Eastern division said when cops were killed, it affected her for a long time, even if she did not know the person.

Dealings with feelings

She said she was now at the point where her mind had become conditioned to deal with anything, at anytime.

In the meantime, the Reverend Dr Vivian Panton, recently retired head of the Police Chaplaincy Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, said there were mixed feelings among the policemen and women over the years when their colleagues were killed. Some of those feelings, he said, have to be carefully dealt with.

In some instances, Panton said, it gives officers a stronger commitment to their oath of office and builds their resilience.

In an attempt to help those faced with the challenges of losing colleagues, he said the Jamaica Constabulary Force provided counselling sessions.

nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com