A group of criminal analysts and commentators say the tremendous strides being made in the fight against violent crime is partly due to the growing professionalism and motivation of the police.
Criminologist, Dr. Jason McKay says the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, is now an employer of choice.
Dr. Jason McKay, criminologist.
Dr. McKay was speaking on Nationwide News‘ The People’s Agenda, reviewing the first year of Andrew Holness’ administration’s third term from the perspective of national security.
The discussion comes as Jamaica continues to record a sharp decline in murders.
The country recorded fewer than seven hundred murders in 2025, down more than 40 per cent on the previous year and the lowest annual homicide total in decades.
That downward trend has held into 2026. Police data show they are now down 24 per cent so far this year, the fourth straight year of decline.
Chairman of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s National Security and Justice Committee Lieutenant Commander George Overton, says the JCF is a transformed organisation.
Lieutenant Commander, George Overton, Chairman of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica’s National Security and Justice Committee.
Meanwhile, political commentator, Kevin O’Brien Chang, says not enough spotlight has been placed on the steady improvement in the relationship between police and citizens.
Kevin O’Brien Chang, political commentator.
And Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development, Anthony Clayton, says the reforms initiated in the JCF under successive police commissioners continue to bear fruit.
Anthony Clayton, Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development.
