STEADFAST AMID THE NOISE
Greetings my distinguished Colleagues,
I trust that you have been having a great week at home and at work. Today, May 29 is the first day of National Sports. I hope as many of you as possible come out and support our social bonding occasion. I pray for the competitors that you may compete without injury and that you have fun while doing so, win or lose. Again, I want to thank those of you who have to hold the rein while your Colleagues participate in the occasion. We are grateful. We are seeing a 23% reduction in murders over last year, which I remind you, was an over 30 year record breaking year. Earlier in the month I called upon you to let us reduce the numbers for May, below the relatively low month May was in 2025. You have been answering. And so we are seeing so far a 24% reduction this May over May 2025. We have 2 days to go, so let us pull all stumps to deny these murderers the opportunities that they seek. For those who believe that these results are by chance, or as I heard some commenters said, solely because of Hurricane Melissa, they have no idea what a day and a night in your life look like. However Colleagues, I know. The High Command knows. And so I say to you again, thank you.
Permit me this week to speak candidly, but calmly, about an issue that has increasingly become a feature of public discourse surrounding the work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Criticism of policing is not new, nor should it be unwelcome. In any democratic society, scrutiny of law enforcement is both expected and necessary. Objective criticism, grounded in facts, fairness and genuine concern for justice, has helped to shape better policing organizations across the world, and we are no exception. We have grown stronger because of constructive feedback, and we will continue to listen where criticism is reasonable, informed and sincere.
What is far more troubling, however, is the emergence of commentary that is not rooted in logic, balance or intellectual honesty, but rather in emotion, sensationalism and, at times, outright hostility toward the institution and the men and women who serve within it.
It is important that we remind ourselves and the nation of a few undeniable facts. In 2022, Jamaica recorded 1,498 murders. In 2025, that number fell to 673, a reduction of 825 or 55%. That decline did not happen by accident, nor did it happen in a vacuum. It came through strategic policing, stronger partnerships, improved intelligence capabilities, courageous frontline work, technological investments, and the relentless sacrifice of thousands of you on the frontline and support staff across this country. It came because the JCF has been transforming itself into a more modern, accountable, capable and professional organization.
Only last year, at our People, Quality and Technology Exposition, we proudly displayed our transformation journey and operational capabilities to the Jamaican people and to the wider world. The response was one of genuine awe and admiration. Many saw firsthand an organization embracing innovation, professionalism, service excellence and modernization at a level that rivaled policing institutions anywhere in the region and beyond.
Yet, in the aftermath of a few unfortunate incidents involving the questionable judgment of a small number of our members, some have suddenly become willing to define the entire organization by those isolated moments. Let me state clearly and without hesitation: we are never comfortable with incidents that result in injury or loss of life, whether involving any one of you or a member of the public. Every such incident matters to us. Every incident is subject to review, accountability and introspection. We do not celebrate harm. We do not excuse misconduct. We do not ignore our responsibilities. That is why I once again call upon you the professional disciplined members among us to reject the behaviours of the few that does so much damage to what we are building.
But neither will we accept the reckless characterization of our members as “murderers” by persons who appear unconcerned about the profound absence of logic, fairness and proportionality in such statements. To describe an entire organization of thousands of hardworking men and women in that manner, while disregarding the overwhelming good they do daily, is not courageous commentary. It is intellectual carelessness.
A modern society must be careful not to confuse loudness with wisdom, outrage with reason, or cynicism with intelligence.
I also wish to speak briefly to some individuals on social media platforms who often contribute to these discussions in ways that are deeply unsavory, uncivilized and devoid of thoughtful analysis. Critical thinking is not reserved only for those considered “elite”, “smart” or academically accomplished. Let no one cause you to believe that you are to be excluded from the community of rational thinkers. Intelligent discussion belongs to everyone willing to approach issues with fairness, logic, humility and respect. No one should ever feel excluded from meaningful discourse. Equally, however, none of us should surrender our reasoning to emotion, mob mentality, convenient narratives or outright irrationality.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force is not a perfect organization. No organization is. Like all human institutions, we will sometimes stumble. We will sometimes make mistakes. When we do, we must acknowledge them, learn from them and improve. That is what professional organizations do.
What we will not do, however, is allow detractors to define this institution solely by the failures of a few individuals or isolated incidents, while ignoring the daily courage, restraint, professionalism and sacrifice demonstrated by the overwhelming majority of our members.
The JCF of today is a transformed and evolving organization. It is an organization committed to professionalism, constitutional policing, accountability and service to country. The thousands of officers who leave their homes daily to protect communities, confront violent criminals and preserve life deserve balanced judgment, not blanket condemnation.
To you our members, I encourage you to remain steadfast, professional and disciplined. Continue to carry yourselves with dignity, even in the face of unfair criticism. Continue to let your conduct speak louder than the noise. The Jamaican people are capable of discerning the difference between genuine concern and destructive rhetoric.
History, as it always does, will judge fairly.
I wish for you and your families a blessed and peaceful weekend. Stay safe, stay focused and continue serving with pride. Until next week, walk good.