Police personnel are being urged to remain on high alert, as the High Command raises the threat level against them to extreme.

This follows the killing of 22 year old Special Constable James Lemmie last evening (August 2).

The raising of the threat level to extreme, means that the risk of attacks by criminals on police personnel and facilities is imminent.

The raising of the threat level to extreme comes against the background of the murder of three policemen in three separate incidents since last week.

Police Commissioner Owen Ellington says intelligence and the actions of criminals over the last week indicate calculated assaults on police personnel.

He says this comes, as the force continues to disrupt and displace criminal gangs across the island.

The Commissioner who met with his Executive Management Board this morning (August 3), states that its imperative that all police personnel be on high alert at all times by taking extra security precautions to protect themselves and their colleagues.

Commissioner Ellington has also ordered that the Police Control Centre broadcast security reminders to all police personnel on a regular basis in order to keep members alert.  

22-year-old Special Constable James Lemmie became the 9^th police officer to be murdered since the start of the year.

Special Constable Lemmie was murdered on Young Street in Spanish Town last evening.

He was attached to the St. Catherine North Police Division.

His attacker, identified as 17 year old Radcliffe Richard Foster, of Ellerslie Pen St. Catherine, was shot and killed.

Police say about 9:30 pm, Special Constable Lemmie was seen struggling with Foster who managed to disarm the cop.

Foster reportedly shot Special Constable Lemmie.  A police team that reportedly saw what was happening went to the assistance of the cop.

Police say the gunman opened fire at the lawmen and a gun battle ensued.

Foster was found suffering from gunshot wounds and clutching the policeman’s service pistol.

Both Special Constable Lemmie and his attacker were taken to the Spanish Town Hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, Minister of National Security Dwight Nelson has said the continued killings of police personnel are attempts to undermine the country’s security.

Senator Nelson described the killing of three policemen in five days as deliberate and vicious.

Senator Nelson also said the nature of the assaults show that criminals  feel confident to strike out at members of the security forces.

He urged police and soldiers to be on heightened alert to preserve their lives and to try to be strong in the face of the attacks.

In extending condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the slain policemen, Senator Nelson urged all concerned not to allow their deaths to go in vain.

The National Security Minister also says members of  the public  should  tell all they know about the killings.

He also noted that crime figures for the month of July showed an almost 50 % reduction.