Female motorcycle cops revved up

Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

Motorcycle policing can be an exciting, adrenaline-charged undertaking.

Despite the challenges, two recent graduates of the Motorised Patrol Quick Response Unit, Woman Corporal Sherine Chambers and Woman District Constable Deniesha James, are gunning to follow in the footsteps of retired Superintendent Ionie Ramsay-Nelson, the police force's first female motorcyclist.

Chambers and James are eager to prove their worth, hoping that as women on the front line, their contribution will have an impact on crime. They recently completed a 12-week course, travelling the length and breadth of the island. The acid test came when they were taken to high altitude at Cinchona, in the Blue Mountains, St Andrew.

"This is area where most of us fell and rolled in the wet clay during training," said James, who is one of the first woman district constables to be trained as a motorcyclist.

execute manoeuvres

James, who gave up her job as a secretary, had always wanted to serve her country. She took the entry test for the police force, but did not get a response. "I was at work one day when someone from the Police Academy called and ask if I was interested in serving as a district constable. I never hesitated," said James.

Proclaiming the pair's agility, Chambers explained how they had to lie down on the bike, stand on it with one foot in the air, sit sideways and execute other manoeuvres while the machine was in motion.

A mother of two and a past student of Edwin Allen High School, the Clarendon resident woke up last Friday to a surprise. She was among over 300 members of the police force promoted by Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington.

"A year ago, I was a pedal cyclist, patrolling the streets. Today, I have been elevated to a motorcycle driver," said Chambers, a 10-year veteran of the police force.

The two have big motorcycle boots to fill, taking up the handlebars after Superintendent Ionie Ramsay-Nelson

"At one stage, Miss Ramsay was like the face of the police force," commented Senior Superintendent James Forbes. Retired Senior Superintendent Rosie McDonald-Barker remembers Ramsay-Nelson as a true professional who raised the bar for others who would follow.

Another retired SSP, Dudley Bryan, recalled one of Ramsay's first experiences with a motorcycle. "One day, she was at the Police Traffic Headquarters and I bet her £5 that she could not start the Norton 850 bike. During her attempt it flung her away, but she got up and tried again, until she got it started," said Bryan.

He recalled another incident, where Ramsay went to an accident scene.

"After speaking with the two motorists, she requested that they accompany her back to the station to give a statement. When she took off her helmet one of the motorists shout out 'is a woman'," said Bryan.