Dennis vows to return peace to Manchester

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Newly minted head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent Odean Dennis has vowed to restore a sense of peace to Manchester while pushing for a reduction in major crimes.

“The crime situation is something that we are unused to in Manchester. I have relatives in this area and used to visit this parish back in the day, and it was very peaceful — so that is what Manchester is used to. We are going to put all the steps in process to ensure that Manchester returns to being the most peaceful parish in Jamaica,” he said on Monday during a handing-over ceremony of 200 DNA kits by Lauderhill, Florida, police chief Constance Stanley, at the Mandeville police station.

Dennis took over the reins of the Manchester division following the transfer of former commander Superintendent Carey Duncan to the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch last week. Duncan had served as commanding officer from April 2024 to earlier this month. Under his leadership the police reported a 180 per cent clear-up rate up to February.

However, since the start of the year, the parish has seen an uptick in murders. Statistics from the police show that up to last Saturday the parish recorded 17 murders compared to 12 for the corresponding period last year. Shootings are also up, with the parish recording 19 incidents up to Saturday compared to 11 for the same period last year.

When asked about the effectiveness of strategies of his predecessors, Dennis said he would review measures where necessary.

“If there are strategies that are working then the old adage of, ‘If it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ will come in. If there are things that need to be tweaked [then] of course we will do the necessaries and employ measures that have not yet been employed to get the … reduction in crime and criminal activity,” said Dennis.

He pledged to steer policing in the parish with a steady hand of leadership, and pointed to his anti-corruption stance.

Lauderhill police chief Constance Stanley hands over some of the 200 DNA kits to head of the Manchester police Deputy Superintendent Odean Dennis (right) on Monday at Mandeville Police Station. Looking on is Custos of Manchester Garfield Green. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

“It is a work in progress. I have been here for a mere seven days. It is… time to get to know the ground. I know I won’t have a lot of time to get to know the ground so I have to hit the ground running,” he said.

“You can expect to have someone who is going to respond to the people and the needs of the people. I am one who prefers to hear what the people have to say before I act. I am a listener first and foremost, and I listen to understand — I don’t necessarily listen to respond. Another thing you can expect of me is to treat with issues such as corruption with the seriousness which it deserves to be treated with,” he added.

While welcoming Dennis to the parish, custos of Manchester Garfield Green said Monday’s handing over of the 200 DNA kits will greatly assist the Manchester police.

“Some months ago, during a court session, the presiding judge raised a concern that struck at the heart of justice itself, and it struck at my heart too — and that is there was a shortage of DNA kits in the parish. This situation was pointed out that it slows investigations, delays court matters, and it can affect the timely delivery of justice to our people,” said Green.

“In response to [the judge’s] remarks I reached out to our international partner, the city of Lauderhill, and their police department answered the call with generosity and urgency,” he added.

Stanley, meanwhile, explained the effectiveness of the DNA kits.

“We have 150 regular kits to test any type of body fluid… so saliva where you can get the DNA from the victim, or suspect, or any other type of surface. The 50 kits come with a sterilised solution which can also sample dry blood,” she said.