100 YEARS – Oldest former member of JCF recalls catching suspects easily
November 30, 2019
Elisha Bryan, who turns 100 years old on December 1, has fond memories of serving his country as a District Constable through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Describing what policing was like in his time, he said: “One of my most fun memories within the organization was actually when I was sent to pick up a thief or suspect.
“I always went without handcuffs. I would have a conversation with them, put them in the van to sit, and take them to the station with absolutely no trouble. I would even stop to get them something to drink if they requested it,” Bryan added.
He recalled starting to serve as a District Constable on 1 August 1964 at Prospect district, St. Thomas.
“The District Constable at the station at the time was about to retire and he recommended me for the post and encouraged me to take it, so when I was asked I took the job,” Bryan said. “After that, I lectured for three days and got two shillings a day!”
Former District Constable Bryan served for 28 years.
He still commands much respect.
“I loved the work. I got along well with my colleagues and – believe it or not, even those in custody… If I could still serve today, believe me I would,” he further told Area 5 officers who visited him this week as part the JCF 152nd anniversary activities, which unfolded from November 25 to December 1.
Bryan, while showing off his farm, also recalled being a family man.
He stated that, shortly after he took up his post as a District Constable, he got married on 19 December 1965.
His wife died in February 1978, and he remarried in October of that same year.
He had four children; the two surviving ones live in the United States of America.
Bryan, in the meantime, challenged prospective members of the JCF to conduct themselves with extreme discipline and to ‘do the work clean’.
He also congratulated the men and women of the JCF who are still making sacrifices daily to keep the people of Jamaica safe.
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