MONTEGO BAY, St James — As praise pours in for the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s successful (JCF) reduction of major crimes in Jamaica, deputy mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Dwight Crawford is determined to make the commendations official at the parish level. He has brought a resolution to the St James Municipal Corporation to designate a day in honour of members of the police force.

“Be it resolved that, annually, June 8 be officially designated Police Day in St James when, at specially arranged events, citizens of this great parish can pay respect to the members of the JCF for their efforts in curbing crime and violence in 2025,” Crawford read during Thursday’s monthly meeting of the corporation.

There were 58 people murdered in the parish during 2025, down by 67 when compared to the 125 individuals killed in 2024.

“I remember the days in St James, and by extension Jamaica, when persons were afraid of even their own shadows, many had even given up on the JCF,” Crawford told the Jamaica Observer.

“Some felt, or were even forced, to take things into their own hands for justice when they were faced with criminals. I remember those days,” he said.

His call for Police Day came after the police gave their report, leaving Crawford and other councillors impressed.

“What we’re experiencing now in St James is through the hard work of our local police, our local people. Jamaicans are fixing the problem that we are having in Jamaica and I think it is something that is commendable,” he said.

Crawford said cops deserve to have their own day, similar to the appreciation shown to teachers and other professional groups.

He explained that the date proposed in the resolution was strategically chosen.

“June 8 is significant as it was on that date that the current Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake launched the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Transformation, an initiative which brought to the public’s attention the many ways in which the force has been or will be changed,” Crawford said during his moving of the resolution.

“We are seeing the results of the transformation,” he later told the Observer.

He also lauded other individuals who he said have had a hand in curbing crime across the country.

“Starting from the Minister of Finance [Fayval Williams], [Minister of National Security] Dr Horace Chang, to the commissioner of police and, of course, the other members of staff that have done a fantastic job,” said Crawford.