Jamaica’s Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has issued a compelling call for enhanced community engagement within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), emphasizing that historic crime reductions must be reinforced through strengthened public trust. Speaking at Monday’s Commissioner’s Annual Devotion ceremony, Blake cautioned against complacency despite the force achieving the nation’s lowest homicide rate since 1993.
The event, themed ‘Strengthening Our People, Strengthening Our Bonds, Strengthening Jamaica,’ served as both reflection and roadmap as Blake outlined strategic priorities for 2026. While acknowledging the JCF’s record-breaking performance—673 murders recorded in 2025 representing a dramatic decline from previous years—the commissioner insisted statistical success alone cannot define meaningful progress.
Blake articulated that national security fundamentally originates from human connections rather than institutional resources. ‘Trust is not built by force, but through relationships,’ he stated, emphasizing that every police-citizen interaction contributes to the broader social fabric. The commissioner attributed recent crime reductions to improved operational effectiveness, internal reforms, and community collaboration, but warned these gains remain fragile without sustained relational investment.
Looking ahead, Blake established three core objectives: enhanced officer well-being and professional development, strengthened internal and external partnerships, and expanded recognition of policing’s role in national development. He highlighted the extraordinary physical, emotional, and psychological demands of police work, asserting that officer wellness directly correlates to service quality.
The commissioner specifically cautioned against uneven reform implementation, urging consistent trust-building measures across all communities rather than selected divisions. He framed the coming year as an opportunity to transition ‘beyond momentum and into maturity,’ where institutional strength becomes sustainable through deepened relationships and elevated service standards.
Blake concluded with a call for unified purpose: ‘Let us draw inspiration from progress already made but not become complacent. With God as our refuge and strength, and with one another as partners, we can continue building a safer, more peaceful, and more confident Jamaica.’