Why Jamaica’s murder decline is not an accident
Dear Editor,
For 30 years Jamaicans have lived with fear as violence scarred our communities and limited our national potential. That is why the fact that 2025 recorded fewer than 700 murders — a 30-year low — should not be casually dismissed or explained away.
Yet a narrative has emerged suggesting that this progress is mainly due to increased police killings. As someone with 26 years of service, and who currently works in planning and performance management, I believe that explanation does a disservice both to the public and the men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Police confrontations are not new. They have always existed in Jamaica’s policing environment. The real question is not whether confrontations occur, but why the wider system is now producing different outcomes.
From where I stand, three things are making the difference.
First, strong leadership. Jamaica currently has police leaders who are experienced, educated, and focused. They have a strategic vision, and importantly, that vision is clearly communicated and reinforced throughout the organisation.
Second, serious attention to planning and performance management. Police divisions are encouraged to analyse their own realities and set priorities for action, but these priorities must align with national strategic direction. Policing is no longer simply reactive, it is increasingly deliberate and measured.
Third, a motivated workforce. Officers are paying attention. They feel the shift. Many feel a sense of relief and renewed purpose knowing that their work is guided, assessed, and supported. Morale matters, and morale is improving.
This is not about ignoring accountability. In fact, the organisation is strengthening it. ISO 9001 certification, expanded use of technology, and wider deployment of body-worn cameras reflect a clear commitment to transparency and public trust.
Jamaica is heading in the right direction. The staff on the ground feel it, the data supports it, and communities are beginning to experience it. What is needed now is continued public support, not narratives that oversimplify progress hard won.
After three decades of struggle, this moment should be recognised for what it is: a sign that purposeful leadership, planning, and professionalism can deliver real results.
Damian Mac
domchugh@hotmail.com
