COMMISSIONER of Police Owen Ellington wants his personnel to take quick and decisive action to defend themselves against attacks by gunmen attempting to prevent the arrest of reputed Tivoli Gardens don Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Ellington was speaking after two policemen were killed and six injured in a shootout with gunmen on Mountain View Avenue, St Andrew last night.

Do not hesitate to respond quickly and take decisive action when attacked by these criminals as it is now patently clear that they are hellbent 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 any response to protect themselves, their colleagues and the law abiding citizens of Jamaica, said Ellington while touring police positions today.

He expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the personnel killed and injured last night.

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, he said.