KINGSTON, Jamaica — The New Commissioner of Police, Dr Kevin Blake, who was officially installed on Monday, has pledged to continue the work to improve the efficiency of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and win the hearts and minds of Jamaicans.

Blake said the Force will not fail in its duty to serve and protect the lawful majority.

In a Change of Command ceremony held at the Office of the Police Commissioner in St Andrew, Dr Blake said that under his watch, “unprecedented programmes will be launched to win the hearts and minds of communities across Jamaica and restore the JCF as the rightful legal guardians of Jamaica, providing trusted and reliable security services”.

“We know that there are far more lawful and law-abiding people in Jamaica than the lawless and criminals among us. Make no mistake, we will isolate these criminals. We will disrupt criminal gangs, we will pursue, capture and build airtight cases for the conviction of the producers, the facilitators and the sympathisers of crimes whose only interest and desire are to cause hurt, mayhem and destruction. These people do not deserve the shelter and protection of law-abiding citizens,” he contended.

“We only have one Jamaica; our beautiful island that rivals every country on earth as a leading tourism destination with the warmest and most hospitable people on the planet. The Jamaican people deserve peace, to live peacefully and enjoy a safe, secure society free of fear, free of crime and violence and we must protect our nation home against all threats, external and internal,” he noted.

He added that Jamaica deserves a police force that is responsive, modern and on par with the best law enforcement agencies in the world.

Dr Blake hailed the men and women of the JCF, noting that their hard work and sacrifice in maintaining law and order in the country have not gone unnoticed.

The new JCF head, who took over the reins from Major General Antony Anderson, said he is prepared to lead the Force to be the best edition of itself.

“I speak to you today out of a profound sense of duty as a career policeman and as a Jamaican with a deep and abiding love for my country and for the people of my country.  I rise to be the Commissioner of Police, the chief constable for all Jamaicans,” Dr Blake said.

“I am prepared and I’m ready to bring the best of my intellect, my training, my personal discipline and emotional intelligence to lead this Jamaica Constabulary Force to be the next best edition of itself,” he committed.

Dr Blake extended heartfelt appreciation to Major General Anderson for his highly capable leadership of the JCF over the past six years.

The outgoing Commissioner, in offering congratulations, encouraged Dr Blake to exercise his authority with wisdom, tenacity and compassion.