The police high command is reminding policemen and women to use the services available to help address personal issues.

The reminder comes in the wake of the suspected suicide of Senior Superintendent Dermot Lawrence.

Lawrence was found hanging by a length of rope at his home in Mango Walk, Montego Bay, St. James yesterday (Jul 20).

His 37 years of service to the force spanned postings across multiple geographic divisions and at the time of his death, he was in charge of administration at the Area One police headquarters.

In a statement today, the high command expressed condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lawrence, who lost his life under tragic circumstances.

The high command says it is mindful of the intense stressors of the job and the impact these can have on members’ personal lives and performance.

It is imploring members to avail themselves of the mechanisms that the organisation has established to cater to their overall wellbeing, to include three main support systems – the volunteer pastor’s programme, the chaplaincy unit and the medical services branch.

The high command says it mourns the loss of SSP Lawrence, whose work ethic and discipline were a blueprint of excellence in policing.

The chaplaincy unit, community safety and security branch and medical services branch, have been directed to provide support to the family and colleagues of Lawrence.