Police detectives search for clues at the murder scene of one of their colleagues yesterday. Special Constable Richard Hamilton of the Island Special Constabulary Force became the first policeman to be killed in 2009. He was shot in his car on Flinch Crescent in Kingston 11 shortly after midday. - Norman Grindley/acting Photography editor

Quick work from police investigators resulted in the recovery of a slain special constable's private firearm and the arrest of a suspect yesterday.

Special Constable Richard Hamilton became the first member of the security forces to be killed this year after he was shot on Flinch Crescent, off Woodpecker Avenue, in Kingston 11, shortly after midday.

Hamilton's body was found slumped over the steering wheel of his silver Honda Integra motor car with at least one bullet wound to the head about 12:20 p.m. after residents reported hearing explosions.

The back windscreen of the motor car was shattered and the front of the vehicle was lodged in a fence, leaving investigators to theorise that the gunman/gunmen fired at the constable while he was driving.

Up to late yesterday, investigators were unable to determine a motive for the killing while counselling was being provided for Hamilton's family members, colleagues and friends, some of whom wept openly.

"Me want to look pon Richie, me want to see if a really him," the special constable's mother wailed as the body was taken away by workers from Madden's funeral home.

Questions

"What Richie doing round here? Why Richie come get killed round here so?" his sister questioned as she was consoled by Hamilton's colleagues of the Island Special Constabulary Force.

His colleagues were also at a loss as to what would have caused the off-duty special constable to visit the volatile community, even though one special constable told The Gleaner that Hamilton had repeatedly indicated that the area was his stomping ground.

A short while after his killing, the police went to nearby Henderson Road where a gun believed to be the policeman's private firearm was recovered while a man identified as the main suspect turned himself in to the police.

The killing was immediately condemned by National Security Minister Colonel Trevor MacMillan, who said he was deeply concerned about the manner in which the policeman was killed.

Demoralising effect

In extending condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Hamilton, MacMillan sought to assure them that every effort would be made to bring those responsible to justice.

According to MacMillan, the killing of law enforcement officers may have a demoralising effect on the members of the security forces. Meanwhile, he has appealed to the police and soldiers to continue their relentless fight against crime and violence.

MacMillan also urged the members of the security forces not to become de-motivated or let their confidence be undermined.

He was supported by Special Sergeant St George Jackson, chairman of the Island Special Constabulary Force Association, who struggled to hold back the tears as he looked at the body of his colleague.

"Crime in Jamaica is not a police problem, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. It is a society problem, it is a Jamaican problem that we all have to confront," Jackson said.

Eleven members of the police force were among the more than 1,600 persons murdered across the island last year.

Hamilton was based at the guardroom at the Mobile Reserve.

CALL THE POLICE

Persons with information of on the murder of Special Constable Hamilton are being urged to call the police emergency number at 119; Operation Kingfish at 811 or Crime Stop at 311.