KINGSTON, Jamaica – Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has urged members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) not to be concerned with what he describes as misguided empathy for criminal elements in society.

He made the call in his latest edition of ‘Commissioner’s Corner’, as he recounted the tragic killing of eight persons in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, noting that more must be done to cut down criminals.

“While we have always been making the point that criminals are not our friends and we make no apology to pursue them wherever they hide, we must be even more strident in the face of this brutal act of cowardice and terrorism,” he said. “This is not just a call to action but a declaration of intent—a clear message to the criminals that they now have the full and undivided attention of the JCF.”

He said criminal elements are too often portrayed as troubled unfortunate youths which usually shifts the blame from criminals unto law enforcement.

“Mark my words, these will be some of the elements of the discourses in sympathy and empathy not for the victims but for these elements of evil,” Blake said, indicating that those narratives usually manage to overshadow the voices of the true victims and their communities.

The commissioner then sought to make it clear that the JCF’s focus is not the misleading narratives but the task of bringing perpetrators to justice.

“Colleagues, these explanations are not our concern, nor are they the substance of our focus. It is our job to go after murderers and let them proffer their explanations in court,” he said.

Commissioner Blake then went on to note that the majority of Jamaicans are tired of the rise in crime and are relying on the police to restore peace to their communities.

“This majority is depending on us, the security forces, to combat this evil and restore peace in our communities. While we remain focused on our mission, let us always remember that there are but a few in the communities who are major threats to the communities’ peace and security,” he said. “It means we need to know who they are, selectively target them within the ambit of the law while winning the hearts and minds of the law-abiding citizens in the communities.”