Meet the JCF’s starting trio; they are not just policemen, they are also starters for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

With the 2025 staging of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships now underway at the National Stadium in St. Andrew, hundreds of police officers are inside the National Stadium in St. Andrew. Some, off-duty, are in the stands, cheering for their alma maters. Others, on duty, are stationed at checkpoints, ensuring the safety of everyone present. And if you are lucky, you might just spot three very special police officers—the JCF’s starting trio.

Detective Sergeant Neville Lindo, Sergeant Courtney Lewis, and Corporal Kevin Gordon—the JCF Starting Trio—are more than just cops; they are also national starters for the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). These police officers have taken the discipline and skills honed in the Jamaica Constabulary Force and applied them to the development of track and field.

Their combined experience is vast, spanning all levels of competition. They have officiated at events like the upcoming ISSA Boys and Girls Championships, national junior and senior trials, the Jamaica Invitational Track Meet, the Gibson Relays, the JAAA/PUMA Fuller Anderson meet, and the CARIFTA Games, to name a few.

The link between policing and being a starter in athletics may seem doubtful, but the jobs share key attributes: long hours, problem-solving, firearms handling, and unwavering discipline. These are the qualities the trio brings from the Jamaica Constabulary Force to the track.

Sergeant Lewis, sub-officer in charge of the Llandeway Police Station in St. Thomas, has 21 years of service with the JCF, 16 of which he has spent starting races, both locally and abroad. One of his recent assignments took him to Grenada, where he served as assistant manager for the Jamaican team at the CARIFTA Games. A typical day at a track meet means long hours under the scorching sun, but his love for the sport shines through.

Top Athletes

“For the past 16 years, I’ve started all the top athletes in Jamaica,” he says. “Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce—all those athletes, I’ve started them from school right up until now.” Corporal Kevin Gordon, with 26 years in the JCF, was introduced to national-level starting nine years ago by Sergeant Lewis, who knew of his local starting experience.

“I’m very fond of athletic sports and always want to be a part of its development,” he shares. However, the job is not always easy. Corporal Gordon shared that “harsh and colourful” comments can sometimes come from spectators and coaches when enforcing the rules. But he beamed with pride when he shared how his JCF training has equipped him with the ability to work under pressure and how to handle criticism.

Detective Sergeant Neville Lindo, with 10 years in the JCF and five as a starter, is the junior member of the trio—but experienced nonetheless. Attached to the Crime and Security Portfolio as a training officer and course coordinator, the Kingston College old boy’s passion for track and field is deeply rooted.

“As a youngster, I would go to track meets and hear the commentators say, ‘Silence for the starter,’” he recalls. “That brought all the attention to this one person, who would ignite the crowd,” he says with admiration in his voice. Like his fellow starters, he says his training in the JCF has been invaluable.

“You’re out there on your feet; you have to remain disciplined and stay concentrated,” he says. “That’s something you get from the art of drill.” He adds that the attributes of a good constable are similar to those of a good starter, making the transition seamless.

The trio acknowledges that balancing their duties as starters and police officers sometimes has challenges. Sergeant Lindo, for example, shared that in 2022, he had to forgo working at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships because of his JCF duties. Despite the challenges, though, all three are committed to continuing to excel at their two passions: policing and starting.

The dedication of these officers, extending beyond their mandated duties, underscores the multifaceted nature of service within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Their commitment to sporting excellence, alongside their unwavering professionalism, exemplifies the JCF’s integral role in fostering community development and national pride. This blend of duty and passion not only enhances the sporting landscape but also strengthens the bond between the Force and the people it serves.