SEVERAL stakeholders have thrown their full support behind newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake and have expressed confidence that he will continue to steer the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in the right direction.

General secretary of the Jamaica Police Federation Corporal Arleen McBean told the Jamaica Observer on Wednesday that the federation is “quite happy with the selection of Dr Kevin Blake as our next commissioner of police”.

“Whilst we recognise the brilliance of all the other deputy commissioners, Dr Blake has been… I would call him the wind of transformation in the JCF through technology and other means that has seen different areas of the JCF, that we would never thought of being modernised to a level of acceptance and recognition. We are at a level where our thrust is to improve on different areas of policing in order for the citizens of Jamaica to be safe,” she said.

“We are giving our full support to our new commissioner, and we want to thank Major General Anthony Anderson for the tremendous job that he did while serving as commissioner of police,” she added.

Corporal McBean said the federation is looking forward to great things from Dr Blake, noting that she would like to see a focus on human capital, and expressed the hope that the welfare of rank-and-file members of the JCF will remain the priority “so that we can serve you the citizens out there”.

She added: “The most important resource is human resource, and you have to ensure that all of that remains the internal priority so that we can give of great service as we remain professional and respectful and serve the citizens of Jamaica.”

Corporal McBean said the federation also looks forward to further advocacy on many outstanding issues and to see how best they can be resolved.

In the meantime, in a media release on Wednesday, Opposition spokesperson on citizen security and productivity, Senator Peter Bunting, congratulated Dr Blake on his achievement but noted that the Opposition will be watching closely to see how he performs.

“The appointment of a police commissioner is a matter for the Police Service Commission, and the Opposition would not second-guess their selection. However, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and we will be carefully observing his performance in the new role,” he said. Bunting also reminded the new commissioner that the JCF Act gives sole operational superintendence of the force to the commissioner, while policy is the purview of the minister/Cabinet, and in some cases — like extending a state of emergency — to Parliament.

“We, therefore, caution him not to involve the JCF in public advocacy for matters that the constitution reserves for Parliament and on which there is no political consensus,” he said.

“As we approach an election season, we also remind the commissioner that it is especially important that the JCF be seen as an impartial and professional force whose operations should support the democratic process rather than one party or another’s interests,” Senator Bunting added.

Deputy prime minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang announced Dr Blake’s appointment during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

Dr Blake will take over the reins of the JCF from outgoing commissioner Major General Antony Anderson on March 19, 2024, a day after Anderson’s contract expires.

The new commissioner edged the other three deputy commissioners of police (DCP) who applied for the job.

Dr Chang said that, while all four deputies interviewed are “excellent police officers”, the Services Commission identified Dr Kevin Blake “as the best prospect to lead the force at this point in time”.

The other DCPs are Fitz Bailey, who is at the helm of the crime and security portfolio, and is expected to retire soon; Clifford Blake, who is in charge of strategic operations; and Richard Stewart, who has responsibility for administration and support services.

Dr Blake, who joined the JCF on a special entry programme as an assistant superintendent, advanced to the position of assistant commissioner of police in 2013. He was promoted to DCP in June 2020.

He has also served as the head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, National Intelligence Bureau, and Area 3 Police.

Dr Blake has a PhD (high commendation) in sustainable development, a master of science in computer-based management information system, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics from The University of the West Indies, Mona.