The Jamaica Constabulary Force has indicated that internal issues are being addressed, with Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake “cleaning house”.
According to a JCF statement, the pronouncement was made in Dr. Blake’s most recent column in the force orders.
The release comes amidst several reports of JCF members being arrested or charged for alleged wrongdoing.
On Saturday, the JCF reported that a 31-year-old police constable and a male civilian were arrested following a series of intelligence-driven anti-trafficking operations conducted by law-enforcement in Hanover and Westmoreland on Friday.
Investigators reportedly seized 85 assorted rounds of ammunition, a motor vehicle, several mobile phones and a sum of cash during the operations.
The constable and the other man are being detained on reasonable suspicion of breaches of the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act 2022, as investigations continue.
And on Thursday, the JCF reported that Chairman of the Police Officers Association (POA), Senior Superintendent Wayne Cameron, was charged in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities relating to funds at the association.
SSP Cameron has been removed from frontline duty.
Police Inspector Martin Walker was also charged following the seizure of 5.8 kilograms of cocaine on January 8.
Following that incident, the JCF launched a secondary high-level investigation prompted by the discovery of two illegal parcels of cocaine within the storage facilities of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC) .
Commissioner Blake has since ordered the immediate removal of Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division from the oversight of C-TOC.
In his column, Dr. Blake pointed out that public institutions rarely falter because of a lack of policy, strategy, or vision.
He said they falter when internal conduct undermines the very systems designed to advance them.
Dr. Blake said much of the challenges the JCF has faced, are caused by its very own.”
He noted that institutions do not drift into crisis by accident.
They are weakened when standards are compromised by those entrusted to uphold them.
The commissioner recognised that success creates its own vulnerability: momentum can be interrupted, trust can be eroded, and focus can be lost.
He warned that self-inflicted wounds “provide the greatest risk of distraction and disappointment.”
Dr. Blake said this is a sober assessment. Progress invites scrutiny, and internal failures supply critics with narratives that distract from hard-won gains.
He reminded members that representation carries ethical weight.
The statement said it is clear that, having achieved significant success in crime reduction, which the entire country has been clamouring for, Commissioner Blake is now moving to slay another beast that Jamaica has been clamouring for.
It said the commissioner is cleaning house.
Dr Blake said the call to action is clear. members are asked to protect the institution by protecting its values. They are urged to remain “focused, disciplined, and united around the JCFs shared mission.”
In confronting self-inflicted wounds head-on, the commissioner affirmed that reform is sustained by courage within and progress is preserved when leadership chooses clarity over convenience.
He said the challenge now rests with every member of the force to meet that standard, protect the gains achieved, and ensure that the organisation’s future is shaped by those fit to lead it.
