First Adventist pastor appointed chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force
Pastor Gary Buddoo-Fletcher was appointed Chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, during a board meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, on Aug. 3, 2015. Buddoo-Fletcher becomes the first Adventist minister to occupy the position and the fifth force chaplain of the JCF. Image by Dyhann Buddoo-Fletcher.
August 6, 2015 | Kingston, Jamaica | Jamaica Union Staff/IAD
Pastor Gary Anthony Buddoo-Fletcher, former executive secretary in North Jamaica is the new Force Chaplain of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
His appointment was made official and announced by Commissioner of Police Dr. Carl Williams to the JCF Executive Management Board in Kingston on August 3, 2015.
Buddoo-Fletcher, who now carries the honorary rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, is the first Adventist to occupy this position and the fifth force chaplain of the JCF. He succeeds Acting Chaplain, Rev. Dr. Gordon Evans who served from 2014-2015 and Chaplain Emeritus Bishop Dr. Gary Welsh who served from 2010 to 2014.
As force chaplain, Pastor Buddoo-Fletcher is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplaincy and has direct supervision over seven assistant chaplains island-wide. His job includes but is not limited to counseling, training, supervision and assessment of police officers.
“We are very happy that the Seventh-day Adventist Church could provide someone in the person of Pastor Buddoo-Fletcher to serve at this time in this position at the national level,” said Pastor Everett Brown, president of the church in Jamaica. “He has given outstanding service to the church in Jamaica and we believe that with his experience and commitment to serving his fellowmen, he will be an asset to the JCF and the wider society.”
Pastor Buddoo Fletcher’s service in the church began 22 years ago in 1993 as an intern and chaplain in the central region. He was ordained in 2000 and later became a senior pastor working in the parishes of St. Mary, Manchester and St. Catherine. He then served in the church’s north region in as district pastor, youth director, and led as director in communication familiy ministries, stewardship and later executive Secretary.
“Pastor Buddoo- Fletcher’s departure is a significant loss to the Conference,” said Pastor Karl Archer, president of the church in North Jamaica. “We are confident that he will be a notable asset to his new position, and we will ever keep him before our God in prayer.”
Officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
During his tenure with the Adventist church, he has baptized approximately 2,000 persons and has been recognized with outstanding evangelistic work from since 1996. Under his pastoral care two churches were dedicated, two were organized, and three new congregations started. He was also recognized for his outstanding work in pastoral administration and leadership in 2004 as well as many community outreach endeavors.
Currently, Buddoo-Fletcher is pursuing a doctorial degree in ministry from the Inter-America Theological Seminary–an accredited Seventh-day Adventist institution based in Miami, Florida.
“I am particularly pleased that the appointment has gone to someone from the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Chaplain Emeritus, Bishop Dr. Gary Welsh who now serves as Regional Director for the International Conference of Police Chaplains. The Adventist community is the longest consistent supporter of police chaplaincy and the para-professional counseling care of the police fraternity through Northern Caribbean University (NCU).
Of the 425 volunteers who serve as station chaplains, more than 60 percent are Adventist ministers.
In service to country, Pastor Buddoo-Fletcher enrolled as a volunteer Chaplain in 2012 and became a certified member. In 2014, when the assistant Chaplin for Area One took his vacation, he was asked to fill the position for five months as the Acting Assistant Chaplin for the region. His outstanding work won the respect and admiration of the police men and women in that region and further attracted the attention of the top ranking members of the JCF.
In response to his appointment, Pastor Buddoo-Fletcher said “It is a privilege to serve God and my country in this capacity. I will do my best to give ethical, moral and spiritual support to the men and women of the JCF, their families and the auxiliary members who serve, protect and reassure citizens of our country.”
Buddoo-Fletcher thanked the church leaders and members for their support and prayers. “I am confident that with the full support of all Jamaicans, the JCF can accomplish even more in service to all, so that Jamaica may be the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business,” Buddoo-Fletcher added.
Pastor Buddoo-Fletcher is married to Dyhann and both have two children.
The chaplaincy unit of the JCF began in the 1950’s and was pioneered by volunteer Rev. Hugh Smythe who served for 37 years before handing over the baton to Rev. Dr. Vivian Panton in 1991. Panton served for 19 years.