Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake
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By Lorraine Mendez
Dr. Kevin Blake has been officially installed as Jamaica's 15th native Commissioner of Police.
Dr. Blake and outgoing Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson participated in a symbolic change of command ceremony on Monday afternoon at the Office of the Commissioner.
In his first address as Police Commissioner, Dr Blake pledged to provide a peaceful society for all Jamaicans, saying the fight will continue to rid the country of crime and violence.
Elaborating, he promised that, on his watch, "unprecedented programmes will be launched to win the hearts and minds of communities across Jamaica, to restore the JCF as the rightful guardian of Jamaica, providing trusted and reliable security services."
The new commissioner is assuming command of the JCF in the week of the country recording the most murders in a single week, with JCF statistics indicating 31 homicides were committed over the period March 9 to 16.
The data further reveals a total of 223 murders for the period January 1 to March 16, a near 12 per cent reduction compared with 252 homicides recorded for the corresponding period last year.
In addition to crafting new strategies to deal with the long-standing issue of crime, advocacy groups like Jamaicans for Justice say Dr. Blake should prioritise the welfare of members of the JCF.
The parliamentary opposition, while congratulating the new commissioner, has urged him to ensure the police force is seen as an impartial and professional organisation.
Dr. Blake joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 2002.
He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police on June 1, 2020, after serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police for seven years prior.
He has held several significant assignments in the JCF, including command of police Areas 3 and 4, National Intelligence Bureau, Planning Research and Development Branch and Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.
He is the holder of a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development from the University of the West Indies.
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