TWO policemen were killed yesterday in a violent confrontation with gunmen, who had launched an attack against the security forces in wake of the pending extradition of alleged Tivoli Gardens drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Six other officers were injured in the attack.

The dead policemen were identified as Sgt Wayne Henriques and Constable Jason Davis, both of the Motorised Patrol Division.

The eight officers were responding to a distress call from a female motorist at the Rockfort Police Station, who reportedly came under fire from armed men on Mountain View Avenue at about 11:30 Sunday night along the volatile Mountain View Avenue in Kingston.

Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington, in condemning the murder of the policemen, advised members of the constabulary to take swift and decisive action to protect themselves in the face of orchestrated attacks on police personnel and facilities by gunmen supporting Coke.

"Do not hesitate to respond quickly and take decisive action when attacked by these criminals as it is now patently clear that they are hell bent on causing mayhem in the society by their calculated, vile and cold actions against police personnel.

"Police personnel have the full backing of the high command to take any response to protect themselves, their colleagues and the law abiding citizens of Jamaica ," Ellington told members of the Force while visiting various formations early yesterday morning.

The police commissioner, meanwhile, extended his profound sadness to the family, friends and colleagues of the two slain officers and the six nursing gunshot wounds in hospital.

"The loss of these two officers and the injury to the six, while difficult to deal with, will only serve as a rallying call for the police to remain strong, committed and firm as we continue to encounter brazen criminals," Ellington said.

Security Minister Dwight Nelson also extended sincere condolence to the family, friends and loved ones of the two policemen, noting that they made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in the pursuit of their duties to uphold law and order.

Minister Nelson, in a press statement, said that now is the time for the society to deal decisively with crime and violence once and for all. He urged all political parties and other well-meaning non-governmental organisations to unite in this effort and lend unstinting support for law enforcement agencies.

Opposition Spokesman on Security Peter Bunting also said it was time for all people of goodwill to support the security forces in their lawful response to the criminal organisations.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), which has over the years been critical of the operational tactics of the police, said yesterday that it was deeply disturbed and saddened by the tragic death of the two officers and the injury of six of their colleagues.

"Our deepest sympathies are extended to the families and colleagues of those law officers killed in the service of their country.

"The lawlessness displayed in some areas and by some persons, since the announcement that the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke would be signed, are utterly deplorable and cannot be tolerated in a free and democratic society," said the rights organisation.

It added: "The professionalism and restraint displayed thus far by the Jamaica Constabulary Force is extremely commendable. It is also heartening for the signal it sends of a new, higher level of policing practice under the leadership of Commissioner Owen Ellington.

"JFJ hopes that the JCF can bring the situation under control in short order and with minimal further loss of life and injury."

It said, too, that it hoped that the approach taken by the police was the start of a new and better day for policing and the rule of law in Jamaica.

"All Jamaica and every Jamaican must ensure and show that our enduring support and loyalty is to the rule of law and for those who bravely risk and give their lives in its defence," said JFJ.