Police federation wants expedited treatment for cops injured on the job

Chairman of the Jamaica Police Federation, Sergeant Arleen McBean, is calling for the implementation of an agreement between the Ministry of Health and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to ensure that officers injured on the job receive expedited health care whenever they visit hospitals.

McBean’s call follows the injury of four policemen in an accident outside the Kingston Central Police Station sometime after 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Reports are that the lawmen were transporting an inmate to the nearby Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) when, upon leaving the station, another vehicle collided with their service vehicle.

The inmate reportedly attempted to escape, but two of the policemen, despite their injuries, ran after him and managed to subdue him.

The Gleaner understands that the officers sustained various injuries and have been placed on sick leave.

Speaking this morning, McBean said she was satisfied with how officers injured on duty are generally treated, and commended both the work of the federation and the Welfare Division within the JCF, which she said has been handling cases of injured officers thoroughly and expeditiously.

“The only thing absent now is that we do not have a protocol at the different public health facilities, and in that absence, sometimes police officers find themselves in the same waiting areas as persons who are out on bail and visiting the same medical facilities,” she explained.

“We understand what is happening in the health sector, we understand the limitations with staff, and while I thank all the doctors and nurses who have extended care to injured police officers,” she noted.

“We would like to see something codified between the JCF and the Ministry of Health to take care of police officers who are out there being the buffer between criminals and law-abiding citizens.”

She added that such services could also be extended to other emergency service providers, such as firefighters.

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.