From sister of murdered policeman: ‘I grieve Dale—but the system failed his killer’

“[…] Dale’s death forces a hard truth… I’m grieving.

“But I also feel sorrow for Ishmael’s family. Because the system failed him long before he failed himself…”

The following post on the sentencing of Ishmael Clarke for the murder of police constable Dale Mayers was submitted to Wired868 by Mayers’ sister, Denisha Mayers—a commercial consultant who lives in Jamaica at present:

To: “Rug rat”

I wrote this last week, with every intention of posting it on my brothers’ birthday: 29th December.

Surprisingly, Ishmael Clarke pleaded guilty to his murder, and was swiftly sentenced:

Today, I speak for my brother, police constable Dale “Rug Rat” Mayers.

A 23-year-old man has been charged (now sentenced) for his murder. His name is Ishmael, which means “God hears”.

There are so many “Ishmaels” in Trinidad—too many. Too many Ishmaels, living in deprived communities that are consistently being left behind.

Dale’s death forces a hard truth:

Trinidad and Tobago keeps creating young men with no opportunity and no direction—long before they ever become criminals.

I’m grieving.

But I also feel sorrow for Ishmael’s family. Because the system failed him long before he failed himself.

If we don’t fix the roots, we’ll keep burying the fruits.

For Dale.

For every young man we’re losing.

For a country that deserves better.

Let’s demand more from those we put in the drivers’ seat.

Let’s do better, please…

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