A 36 per cent reduction in murders between January 1 and April 5 this year, when compared to the same period in 2024, and a corresponding 18 per cent reduction in all major crimes have caused Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake to commend the men and women under his command.

But the fatal shooting of six alleged criminals by the police within 12 hours in two incidents on Monday has reignited debate on social media and verandah chairs about how the police are fighting crime.

Blake, in his weekly address in the Force Orders last Friday, noted that the first quarter of 2025 saw the lowest number of murders in more than two decades, alongside the most significant drop in major crimes since 2001.

The commissioner described the achievement as a reflection of the sustained efforts being made across every level of the organisation, highlighting that this marks the sixth consecutive quarter in which murders have declined.

However, the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has pointed to a sharp increase in fatal shootings by the police since the start of the year. An unofficial Jamaica Observer tally put the figure at close to 90 so far.

Blake has repeatedly defended members of the force, arguing that criminals who chose to engage cops should never win.

Reports on the two latest incidents involving fatal shootings by the police are on Page 3.