Above: Minister of National Security Sen. Dwight Nelson and Police Commissioner Owen Ellington

By the Caribbean Journal staff

This year was the safest in four decades for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, according to Minister of National Security Sen. Dwight Nelson.

There have been no reported deaths in the line of duty in 2011, which Nelson attributed to Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington and his focus on safety and protection for officers.

“It is something that has worked to the extent where we have not had any police die in the line of duty for 2011, making it one of the safest years for police in the last 40 years,” Nelson said. “The police are out there 24/7 protecting us and, too often, they do this at the cost of their own lives, and I am really happy that nothing has happened this year, so far.”

Nelson was speaking at the 4th annual Clarenton Police Appreciation Awards banquet in May Pen.

Clarendon, in particular, has seen improved crime numbers, with a 52 percent drop in murders since the start of the year, and a 23 percent fall in major crimes.