Colonel Trevor MacMillan’s entire life was spent in dedication to the public service and the public good. We have, undoubtedly, lost another outstanding public servant, an extraordinary human being and a statesman.
In 1959 at the age of nineteen (19) he joined the Jamaica Defence Force and served for twenty seven (27) years. From 1990- 1993 he served as the director of the Revenue Protection Division of the Ministry of Finance.
In 1993 he was appointed Commissioner of Police (CP) with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). He was the first person outside of the JCF to hold that position. He served therein until 1996. This service is as a testament to the integrity, leadership and strength of character for which he was known.
Colonel MacMillan was a man who stood for justice, accountability, professionalism and fought against corruption in the public service, especially during his tenure as commissioner of police.
During this period (as CP) he sought to change the culture of the police force in ensuring that police officers were respectful in the manner in which they treated citizens; and that they acted honestly and fairly. He was also one of the founding members of the human rights group – Jamaicans For Justice in 1999 where he continued his commitment to helping to maintain a fair justice system.
For his service to Jamaica he was honoured with the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer in 1983. In 1986 was awarded the Medal of Honour for general service, and in 1997 he was conferred the order of distinction in the rank of commander.
In 2006 Colonel MacMillan was appointed to the Senate by the Jamaica Labour Party as an opposition senator. From May 2008 to April 2009, he served alongside me in the Senate as a government senator and in the Cabinet as Minister of National Security.
During this time he was extremely supportive of my efforts. He contributed to and supported the Protected Disclosures (Whistbleblower) Act, the Independent Commission of Investigations Act - where he sat on the joint select committee; and the Special Prosecutors Act which embody values that Colonel MacMillan championed his entire life – discipline, accountability, integrity and honesty in the public service and the constabulary force.
He also was instrumented in drafting The Report of the National Committee on Crime in 2002 and in 2006 led the Special Task Force on Crime in drafting The Road Map to a Safe and Secure Jamaica. Many of the recommendations are being pursued by the Government and my Ministry, and include the key suggestion to deepen the independence of the judiciary implemented by the creation of the Court Management Service (CMS). He also advocated for greater use of technology in the Jamaican courts and especially bemoaned that judgments were delayed while awaiting the reports which had to be written by long hand. Technological advancements have come to fruition in our implementation of Real Time Court Reporting.
Apart from his hard work professionally, he was a family man and enjoyed being a father and husband. He was always friendly and enjoyed socialising.
While he was prompt, disciplined and always on time, he never missed a party and could always be seen dancing and really enjoying himself. He knew how to have fun and when to have fun.
As I pay tribute to the life of Colonel MacMillan let us always remember his decades of service to the Government, the country, his community, friends and family.
As a country we are all deeply saddened by the loss of a committed citizen of Jamaica and we mourn with his family and loved ones; but we are comforted in the knowledge that as he lived so has he died - peacefully.
His memory and legacy will indeed continue to touch the lives of all those who knew and loved him.
I extend my sincere condolences to his wife Dr. Olivia MacMillan and his children Gary, Jeremy and Lori-Ann MacMillan in their loss and grief.
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