POLICE Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has fired back at human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) which on Thursday expressed alarm at the sharp increase in fatal shootings by security force members since the start of this year.

In a media release, JFJ pointed out that the year-to-date figure of 50 fatal shootings is more than double the comparable period in 2024, which stood at 19 fatalities.

“This represents an unacceptable and troubling trend that threatens Jamaica’s democratic principles and human rights advancements,” said JFJ.

“If this trend persists Jamaica risks regressing to the dark days before the establishment of the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) when accountability for security force actions was virtually non-existent,” added JFJ.

But in response on Friday, Blake said while he supports the view that the number of fatal shootings by the security forces is too high, the focus should be on the criminals who make the decision to challenge members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF], “which is a far more superior force”.

“And so, let me encourage Jamaicans for Justice to be more responsible in their public pronouncements, especially when the nation is aware of its members’ proven ability to comprehend the most basic and fundamental principles of security.

“To suggest that fatal shootings numbers can be reduced by anything other than the unwillingness of persons being apprehended to engage in deadly confrontations with members of the security forces is irresponsible, or at best advocating for us to relent in our pursuit,” added Blake.

He declared that criminals who are intent on killing and maiming will not be left free to hold communities at ransom and in constant fear.

“It means we make no apology to stand between these murdering thugs and the people of this country. We also wish to reiterate the idiocy of these criminal elements in seeking to engage the security forces with deadly force and expect not to be responded to with similar force,” said Blake.

According to the police commissioner, the island’s prisons and police lock-ups are fully populated with people who made the smart choice of surrendering peacefully to the police when they were apprehended.

“We have had well over a thousand firearm-related arrests each year. Persons have had their day in court, and in some instances freed of the charges against them. They have all lived to see another day simply because they choose not to direct deadly force against our members. We have had police officers and soldiers killed and seriously injured in some of these confrontations,” Blake pointed out.

The commissioner noted that, by policy, every incident of fatal shooting by a member of the security forces results in them being removed from front-line duty and subjected to an administrative review.

“This takes police who would normally be out to protect you, the citizens, off the streets… Yes, we agree that we need to have less fatal shootings and so I call upon JFJ to demonstrate to the public that your care is more for the well-being of our citizens and less for the relevance of your organisation. And it is hard for me to think otherwise when I know JFJ is fully abreast of the facts,” added Blake.

He charged that a call for the JCF to be held more accountable is a slap in the face of Indecom, which has a single most important mandate of investigating actions against civilians by members of the security forces.

“I am a full supporter of what Indecom stands for. An effective Indecom assures me that those among us who believe that they are free to break the law will be held to account and be removed from within our ranks. The JCF’s effectiveness depends on this.

“However, I am concerned that JFJ supports the idea that Indecom’s investigations [are] being hampered because we do not have body-worn camera footage to present to them, even while they have more than 60 per cent of what is required to complete an investigation — and this includes statements from our members who are involved, ballistic information, report on the circumstances surrounding the case, and primacy over the scene,” added Blake.

The commissioner declared that JCF will continue to confront criminals and, while its track record shows that it is intent on taking them before a judge, it is prepared to defend Jamaicans as necessary.

“However, let me say again, when the police come for you, do not raise your weapons against us. Lay down your weapons and have your day in court. But should you chose the foolish option of challenging us with lethal force, know this: I do not train my police to lose. We have the superior training and firepower to ensure that we win — every time, declared Blake.