Jamaica’s Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has presented year-end data demonstrating significant crime reduction achievements while contextualizing police-involved shootings. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) recorded 310 fatal shootings during 30 separate confrontations in 2025, according to figures from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).
Commissioner Blake emphasized that these incidents must be understood within the broader framework of dramatically increased police operations, which saw over 100,000 interactions between law enforcement and citizens throughout the year. The fatal shootings represent less than 0.3% of all police-citizen encounters, a statistic Blake characterizes as minimal given the operational context.
The commissioner reiterated the JCF’s fundamental commitment to preserving life while acknowledging ongoing investigations into shooting incidents. “The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s preference is, and has always been, to preserve life and bring offenders before the court,” Blake stated, adding that data from 2025 unequivocally supports this position.
Blake attributed Jamaica’s remarkable crime reduction to a multi-faceted strategy combining intelligence-led policing, targeted anti-gang operations, enhanced firearms interdiction, and substantial government support. The nation recorded 649 murders as of December 20, 2025—representing a 43% reduction nationally and 487 fewer murders compared to the same period in 2024.
This substantial improvement marks a dramatic turnaround from 2017, when Jamaica recorded over 1,640 murders—the third-highest number in the country’s history. Blake highlighted that 2025’s achievements resulted from “long hours, difficult decisions, professionalism, and exceptional support from our stakeholders.”
The commissioner also acknowledged challenges, noting slight increases in robberies and break-ins despite an overall 13% reduction in major crimes across all divisions. He emphasized that the progress represents a collaborative achievement involving government backing, financial resources, and institutional support from entities like the Police Service Commission.
Blake concluded with an appeal to criminal elements: “We urge members of the public, particularly those engaged in criminal activity, to comply with police instructions. When confronted by law enforcement, escalation is a choice and a very dangerous one.” He expressed confidence that continued public cooperation would lead to even fewer fatal shootings in 2026.