Scores of police officers and other joint services and community members gathered today at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac for the funeral service of the late Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Harper.
Family, friends, and colleagues shared sentiments of how Jermaine Harper always made jokes and loved his 5 children more than anything.
They also highlighted the fact that as a youth he loved Track and was a member of the Royal Youth Movement Athletics Sports Club. He also loved playing football (soccer), and he was once a national goalkeeper for Guyana Football Team — Kitty Rangers and Santos Football Club, respectively.
Harper is fondly remembered by his peers as an astute and exceptional policeman.
“Mr. Jermaine Harper was well respected, admired, and loved by many,” said Traffic Inspector Gavin Boyce.
“He was a pleasant, gentle, easy-going person and was always helpful to all his colleagues during his tenure in Regional Division 4(B). He would be missed by all the ranks in the region. We love him always,” grieving Chief Inspector Debbie Handy said.
The vibrant and energetic ASP Harper was born on January 11, 1976, in Kitty, Georgetown, Guyana.
The late Assistant Superintendent attended St. Gabriel’s Primary School, then East Ruimveldt Secondary School. Mr. Harper earned a Diploma in Safety and Security Management from the University of Guyana and a Master of Science Degree in Clinical Psychology from the American University of Peace Studies.
On October 09, 1998, the late Harper joined the Guyana Police Force, and adeptly advanced up the ranks, beginning as Constable, then Corporal, Sergeant, Inspector, and ultimately became Assistant Superintendent.
Harper was judged as ‘D’ Division’s Best Cop in the year 2011 and runner-up best Cop for the country.
Speaking at the service on behalf of the Guyana Police Force was Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag.) Mr. Ravindradat Budhram described Harper as a distinguished leader and a very brilliant and athletic person who was full of energy and who initially trained with current Crime Chief, Mr. Wendell Blanhum.
“Mr. Harper exemplified performance during his initial training and this resulted in him being spotted to serve as a traffic rank in Regional Division #3, where he developed himself through policing and academically. He was very professional and confidential which resulted in him being moved to the Special Branch Department of the Force. He was then transferred to Regional Division 4(B) as the Officer-In-Charge of Traffic, then to Regional Division 4(C) as the Traffic Officer,” Mr. Budhram stated.
Mr. Budhram also described the late Harper as someone who had a deep influence on those around him, and who was always willing and dedicated.
“I can call five officers’ phones and trust me if I don’t get the others I will get Harper to get the work done,” Mr. Budhram asserted.
“On behalf of the Commissioner of Police and the entire Administration of the Guyana Police Force, I would like to give the family of Mr. Jermain Harper our warmest condolences….he was our dear colleague and a great son-of-the-soil, and he will always be remembered by the organization for his tremendous contribution,” Mr. Budhram said.
Among the senior officers present at the service were: Commander 4(a) Assistant Commissioner Simon McBean; Head of Law Enforcement, Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum; Head of Special Branch, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts; Head of the Community Relations Office, Woman Superintendent Crystal Robinson; as well as other Officers and ranks of the noble organization that Jermaine Harper so faithfully served.
May his soul Rest In Peace.
(Photo by CCU’S Clifford George and Report by Troy Van Rossum)
