Police Commissioner hails historic crime reduction in 2025

Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake says 2025 has delivered massive results in the fight against crime, but he maintains that the police will remain patient, informed and unrelenting in its bid to stamp out criminal elements.

In his comprehensive end-of-year review, Commissioner Blake has promised that, with the 43 per cent reduction in murders and 17 per cent decline in major crimes this year, the Jamaica Constabulary Force will remain measured but firm as it looks to save additional lives.

Up to December 20, the country had officially recorded 649 murders, an historic drop when compared with 1,136 for the same period in 2024.

This will be the first time since 2003 that Jamaica has recorded fewer than 1000 murders. The last time the country recorded a similar figure was in 1994, when 690 killings were recorded.

With just three days left, Dr. Blake said 2025 will be remembered as a year in which "hundreds of lives were saved and violent crime was significantly reduced."

The police chief vowed that criminal networks will not prevail in a state that is aligned, determined and resolute.

"The gains we are seeing are sustainable, provided this level of cohesion, support and partnership continues," he declared.

Police fatal shootings

On the matter of increased police fatal shootings, which has been a point of contention in recent months, Dr. Blake argued that the gains made and the lives saved must not be eclipsed by what he characterised as a marginal hike in such shootings.

He claimed that the data show that the police have not abandoned the rule of law and continue to prioritised lives, where possible.