Police Commissioner warns against complacency despite murder decline

Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has warned officers against complacency despite a decline in murders, cautioning that criminal networks remain poised to exploit any lapse in policing discipline.

His remarks come as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reported that up to March 14, there were 113 murders compared with the similar period in 2025, which saw 160 killings.

Police statistics also show an overall 24 per cent reduction in major crimes, including shootings, robberies, rapes and break-ins.

In his latest weekly message to members of the JCF, Blake said the country was currently recording a significant reduction in killings but stressed that the gains could quickly be reversed if operational focus weakens.

“As we move through the final month of the first quarter… we continue to see a 31% reduction in murders compared to last year, and a 30% reduction over the first quarter of 2025,” he said in the message published last week, and issued in a news statement on Monday.

Blake attributed the reduction to what he described as “deliberate policing, and coordinated, disciplined execution across all formations”.

However, he stressed that sustaining the improvement will require consistent leadership and supervision throughout the force.

“While the reductions are encouraging, it is the sustainability that requires steady leadership at all levels, and must remain our blinkered focus,” he said.

The commissioner warned that criminal groups remain alert and capable of resuming violent activity if police efforts falter.

“Some of the more hardened murderers who we are up against do not retreat permanently,” he said. “They watch us closely, test our resolve, wait for complacency, recalibrate and then they strike.”

“It means… we cannot afford complacency.”

Blake urged officers to remain disciplined in the basic practices of policing, noting that consistent attention to routine duties can often prevent violent crimes.

“The difference between a prevented murder and a missed opportunity often lies in the basics,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong police presence, responding promptly to calls for service, following up intelligence consistently, and conducting thorough vehicle checks while maintaining professional interactions with the public.

The commissioner also emphasised visibility in communities affected by violence, saying a “visible presence in volatile communities providing reassurance” creates opportunities to disrupt serious crimes before they occur.

Blake added that police operations must remain lawful and professional to maintain public confidence.

The security forces have faced criticisms this year over the number civilians killed in the operations. Up to March 15, some 68 persons have been killed by the security forces, the Independent Commission of Investigations has reported.

At the end of 2025, some 311 persons were shot and killed by the security forces, representing a 65 per cent increase over the previous year.

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