Young Detective Constable among Sam Sharpe Award Recipients

Twenty-seven-year-old Detective Constable Dwayne Gibbs is among seven citizens of St. James, who have been presented with the 2017 Sam Sharpe Award for their contribution to the development of their parish and country.

The presentations were made at the St. James Municipal Corporation’s National Heroes Day Civic Ceremony held on Monday (October 16) in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.

Mr. Gibbs, who joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) six years ago, was recognised for Outstanding Service in the area of National Security.

He was lauded for working tirelessly to restore and sustain calm in challenging areas such as Mount Salem and Barrett Town, and enabling youth to access training opportunities, diverting them away from gangs.

“He has investigated and cleared up six murders, and in some instances has apprehended the suspects himself,” his citation read.

“Not only does the strong-principled lawman demonstrate a high level of respect for citizens on the job, he also uses his knowledge to mentor young people through youth clubs and other community service organisations,” it further stated.

The other award recipients are Monique Archibald and Alecia Spence for Community Service; Adrian Anglin for Industry and Commerce; and Winston Dehaney, Trevor Sukhram and Deacon Charles Hall for Community Development.

A part-time business studies lecturer, Ms. Archibald is also President of the Rhyne Park Benevolent Society, a position she has held for more than five years.

Ms. Spence was recognised for her “undying commitment to community service” and for being a tireless contributor to the development of the Flanker community.

Described as an enthusiastic and committed volunteer, she is Project Manager for the Flanker Resource Centre, and has worked with the Flanker Community Development Committee and the

Flanker Peace and Justice Centre Youth Club.

A member of the Think Jamaica Project, Mr. Anglin was cited as an indomitable young man who conceptualised a technologically sound business idea that will create solutions for businesses in the restaurant industry, which will encourage young people to be innovative, as well as provide job opportunities.

Mr. Dehaney, a construction foreman and co-founder of the Mafoota Upliftment Programme, which focuses on providing care for shut-ins with support from Food For The Poor, is hailed as a “warden to the poor and a voice for the voiceless”.

A former volunteer teacher at the Catherine Hall Primary School, Mr. Sukhram is hailed as a “true hero”, who supports community projects, including school repairs, beautification programmes, back-to-school treats and drain-cleaning exercises.

A Justice of the Peace, Deacon Hall operates a scholarship programme that provides support for secondary school children. He is described as a giver “with a serious concern for uplifting others”.

In his address, Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation, Homer Davis, commended the award recipients and urged citizens of Montego Bay to be proud of the country’s great legacy.

“We are a strong people with a great heritage, and we must pass on an even greater legacy,” he said.

“We must not only look at our physical appearance, but we should consider carefully those qualities that are not readily seen,” he added.