He has built up a reputation as a hard-working crime fighter who rose from the hardships of rural S. Ann to become a deputy superintendent of police. Retired DSP Robert White has given 36 years of dedicated and unbroken service to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
White, who was born and raised in the community of Trysee in Claremont, St Ann on September 8, 1953 to parents Melvin and Euvine White (both deceased), wanted, from a very young age to become a police officer. In an interview with The Times, Robert White recounted how his quest to join the force got an inspirational boost, while he was attending Claremont Primary School. “When I was at primary school, a boy stole my teacher’s purse and everyone in the class turned police… I found the purse and the boy who stole the purse and that teacher said to me ‘You are going to be a good police officer one day.’ That really encouraged me then to push forward,” explained Mr White.
Mr White moved to Kingston in 1969 to attend St. Andrew Technical High School where he did building construction. Following the completion of high school, he worked at the school as a workshop assistant in the building department.
However, in following his dream he enrolled in the police force in February 17, 1975.
His work in the JCF
Robert White’s aspirations were finally realized when he graduated as a police officer on September 25, 1975. Fresh out of police training, Mr White was transferred to St. Mary division to embark on duties in the police force, on October 1 of that same year. “I worked in St. Mary until I was transferred to St. Andrew Central, Cross Roads to be exact. I spent maybe around a year and a month there before transferring back to St. Mary. I worked in Port Maria, Oracabessa and Annotto Bay (based) Area 2 headquarters,” explained Mr White. He went on to explain that in 1983, he was transferred to Kingston to work at the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) headquarters. In 1990, he returned to St. Mary where he was in charge of crime for that parish. One last transfer was made, where he was based at Area 2 headquarters as the Area crime officer until 2011 where he retired as deputy superintendent of police. He was also in charge of crime for Portland, St. Ann and St. Mary and during his career was also a crime officer for St. James and Trelawny.
“I only spent one year and seven months in uniform and I was taken on to the CIB by one Mr. Rudolph Dwyer who was in charge of crime for St. Mary at that time,” he said proudly. “My promotions were as a result of having passed the force examinations. I loved the police force and the investigative side of the force… The second set of M16s found in Jamaica, I was the one who recovered them in Fellowship Hall in St. Mary; eight M16s and 1,200 rounds.”
His achievements in the force have also included receiving over 27 force commendations, recovery of firearms, successful murder convictions and successful cases put before the courts. These achievements document the success he had in protecting and serving the people of Jamaica.
Mr White’s success in the force, as he explained, can also be credited to several officers and detectives who have directed and supervised his journey. These include Rudolph Dwyer, Radcliffe Harding, Louis Chambers, Kelso Small and many others.
Mr White has also completed a supervisory management certificate at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 1989 and other force related courses including senior supervisory and homicide investigation courses.
Inspiration to others
While in the police force, Mr White has influenced and moulded several persons in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) throughout Jamaica. These included Gladstone Ellis, Leroy Chambers, John Sinclair and Clive Brown. Many of the young officers have described him as hardworking and dedicated. As a passionate lover of horse racing and cricket, Mr White is referred to as ‘Daddy White’ due to his role as a man who has inspired, mentored and given advice to several community members in Tower Isles, St. Mary where he resides. Even though he is not employed, he still finds time to help others in whatever capacity he can.
Mr White has also helped several convicted persons in redirecting their path.
Family Life
Family has been an important aspect of Robert White’s life. He is married to recently retired senior superintendent Patricia Coulbourne White, for 38 years. “I believe that God made that woman for me…We have a good family relationship and we have respected and loved each other,” explained Mr White, proudly. They have raised four children together who are all university graduates and professionals in their own field: Patricia White, teacher; Roberta White, teacher in Japan; Coleen White, who works in the Cabinet office in Kingston and Razzack White, who has followed in his father’s footsteps as a police officer. In addition, he has two grandchildren.
Robert White has contributed to the safety and security of many the citizen’s in Jamaica especially on the north coast. Even in retirement, he continues to offer advice to many in the force and in his community of Tower Isle in St. Mary. His message to young persons wishing to join the police force and to police officers is: “The police are a part of the society and police officers cannot stay on one side and the people on the other. They have to work with society… I’ve spoken to a lot of young people and sometimes they need someone to talk to and direct their path in order for them to change their ways and become inspired. Police officers need to be more mentors to persons and guide these persons.”
