Three weeks into his new job as police commissioner, Dr Kevin Blake declared his intention to arrest Jamaica’s nagging problem of public disorder and sent a clear message to criminals that the constabulary is resolute in its quest to apprehend and prosecute them.

“You have demanded our full attention and now you have it,” Blake said at his first news conference streamed from Police Commissioner’s Office on Old Hope Road in St Andrew.

“We are actively targeting those who choose the path of violent criminality with the unrelenting resolve to bring them to justice. To those individuals, when the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) comes for you, it is in your best interest to surrender peacefully,” the commissioner said while urging people with information about criminal activities to share it with the police instead of shielding criminals.

Addressing his focus on restoring public order, Commissioner Blake said a new division has been formed to deal with the long-standing problem.

The creation of the Beat Officer Patrol Division (BOPD), he said, is an important development in the constabulary’s policing strategy to strengthen the bond between the JCF and citizens.

“This division reflects an adaptive approach in addressing the evolving safety and security needs of our nation. The BOPD embodies our commitment to proactive community-oriented policing. It is strategically designed to ensure a visible, proactive police presence across key areas of the island, particularly urban centres. Our aim is to deter criminal activity through high visibility and reassurance, while ensuring effective traffic management for the smooth flow of vehicles and pedestrians alike,” he said.

Blake’s focus on restoring public order revives memories of a similar push by former Police Commissioner Owen Ellington who, in one of his first addresses after being appointed in April 2010, highlighted the maintenance of proper order in public spaces as one of his five major objectives.

On Tuesday at his news conference, Blake said that by fostering open lines of communication with residents the police aim to address their concerns and gather invaluable insights that will guide policing efforts.

“As we role out the BOPD, we are mindful of the importance of continuous training, development, and supervision of our members to maintain the high standards of professionalism and service. While it has begun in the Kingston Metropolitan Region, we expect to expand this division to urban centres across the country in short order,” the commissioner said.

Turning to the troubling issue of road fatalities, Blake said “The JCF has seen a concerning trend in road fatalities since the onset of 2024 prompting us to intensify our strategic response to this challenge. In 2023, we saw a 13 per cent reduction in road fatalities and a 10 per cent decline in fatal crashes, compared to the previous year, thanks to the collective efforts of our dedicated officers and the public’s increasing awareness. Males represented a staggering 87 per cent of fatalities.

“Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillions accounted for 59 per cent of the fatalities. This statistic aligns with the critical need for targeted interventions to protect our most at-risk population. As of April 4 we documented 112 fatalities on our roads indicating a five per cent decline, compared to the same period last year. While this decrease is encouraging, the surge in road fatalities in recent months has raised significant concerns. This disturbing trend underscores the urgent need for the JCF to adapt and enhance strategies to prevent further loss of life,” he said.

“In response, the JCF is committed to focusing on addressing moving violations as a core component of our strategic response. Enforcing traffic laws is about saving lives and not just issuing tickets. Our objective is to create a safe environment for all road users by vigorously targeting behaviours that contribute to road accidents. These include speeding, impaired driving, failing to use seat belts, helmets and other reckless practices that endanger life,” Blake added.

He also said that in the first three months of 2024 there was a significant reduction in several categories of major crimes, including murders, but pointed out that the numbers are still concerning.

“Compared to the same period in 2023, murders have deceased by 13 per cent, shootings by four per cent, and rape declined by 38 per cent. In terms of property crimes, robbery remained unchanged with 171 cases, while break-ins saw a decrease of 17 per cent.

The commissioner also addressed the seizure of illegal firearms, saying that the JCF has achieved tangible results.

“In 2024 there has been a seven per cent increase in gun seizures with pistols being the most commonly seized firearms. Ammunition seizures rose by 41 per cent, reflecting our intensified efforts to rid our streets of the dangerous tools of violence,” he said.

Blake also said that there are changes coming, in short order, to the organisational structure of the JCF.