Bermuda's police commissioner praises Jamaica's crime-fighting strategy

 

The government's aggressive push to modernise the country's crime-fighting strategy has been praised by one of the region's top law enforcement voices.

 

President of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) and Commission of Police in Bermuda, Darrin Simmons, has hailed the significant 44% reduction in murders so far this year, describing it as a beacon of hope for the region.

 

Speaking at the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Transformation 2.0 Expo on Thursday evening, Commissioner Simmons says the aggressive use of technology and intelligence driven policing has yielded results, particularly in the fight against a gang-related crime. 

 

He added that other Caribbean nations can look to Jamaica as a model for modern crime-fighting strategies, emphasizing the importance of investment, digital transformation, data analysis and cross-border collaboration. 

 

"Your police force has shown us a way forward. Commissioner Blake and his team haven't just talked about transformation, they're delivering it. While our region grapples with rising violence, Jamaica has forged a new path. The numbers don't just speak, they shout about what is possible. These changes are the envy of every Caribbean nation. Indeed, any police force the world over would celebrate numbers like these. Jamaica just hasn't improved, you've transformed the definition of what well-led, sufficiently funded Caribbean police force can achieve," he asserted.

 

Commissioner Simmons noted the importance of information sharing by communities and lowering the rate of crime developed through trust in the police.

 

"JCF didn't achieve this through enforcement alone. They have also built trust by focusing on people, quality and technology, by recognising that 21st Century policing requires 21st Century thinking. You see, communities don't just want warriors. They want partners. They don't just want occupiers. They want protectors, capable guardians. They don't want to fear the police. They want to trust the police with a healthy dose of respect," he added.