The decision by the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) to establish a scholarship for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in honour of slain constable, Crystal Thomas, has been lauded by Commissioner of Police, Dr Carl Williams.

The commissioner said the announcement, made at the funeral service of the late constable on Sunday, at Ebenezer Fellowship Church of God Seventh-day, Spanish Town, St Catherine, was a "pleasant surprise for himself and members of the force who will be benefiting from the gesture".

"It is very welcomed. I was quite surprised, but it is a pleasant surprise. This is something that will help a lot of police officers to travel the same route of Crystal, in terms of academic studies," the commissioner said.

Before her July 14 death, the constable had completed an associate degree in business administration from UCC, which the university presented to her mother, Jacqueline Brown, at a graduation ceremony on July 19, at the National Indoor Sport Centre, St Andrew.

Dr Williams said the scholarship is significant, as it is being given in her name.

"She was a brave and courageous police officer, so we welcome it, and we are happy for it," he said.

Deputy president of UCC, Dr Dameon Black, who made the announcement, said the value of the scholarship is $540,000, over a four-year period, at the undergraduate level, and for two years for students doing graduate studies.

"This is one of the ways in which we want to cherish her memory, and to acknowledge her contribution to the crime-fighting efforts," Black said.