There has been a shake-up in the senior ranks of the St. Mary Police Division following the escape on Wednesday, January 4,
of an accused man in the murder of two American missionaries in the parish.
This was confirmed last week by communications officer and former head of the St Mary police, superintendent Stephanie Lindsay. She said that head of the St Mary police, deputy superintendent (DSP) Dwight Powell, along with deputy superintendent (DSP) Gary Flash, who was in charge of operations, will be transferred to Kingston.
The transfers become effective on January 23.
When asked if the transfer was linked to the escape of Dwight Henry, accused for involvement in the murder of two US missionaries, Supt Lindsay said she did not know.
However, the transfers come after a team from the Inspectorate of the Constabulary was dispatched to conduct a probe in St Mary following the prisoner’s escape.
Head of the Inspectorate of the Constabulary, assistant commissioner Wray Palmer had told the media last week that initial investigations into the escape had uncovered weaknesses at various levels.
In the meantime, there has been no indication of who will take over the reigns as commander of the St Mary police.
Meanwhile, it is sad news for the parish as DSP Powell was one of St Mary’s beloved cops and was well liked by business leaders and community members alike.
DSP Powell took over the leadership of the division in July from Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay following her appointment as communications officer at the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU).
Twenty-five-year-old Dwight Henry escaped about 1:40 pm on Wednesday, January 4, after he was taken to the hospital for medical assistance.
Henry and his co-accused Andre Thomas were charged following investigations into the murder of 53-year-old Harold Nichols and 48-year-old Randy Hentzel.
The missionaries were fatally shot during a robbery in Albion Mountain, St Mary on April 30, 2016.
Henry has not been recaptured by the police.
