General Secretary of the Jamaica Police Federation, Sergeant Lloyd Duncan, has commended Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake and the High Command for their transformative approach to promotions within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Addressing members of Specialized Operations at their annual conference, Duncan highlighted the unprecedented number of promotions under the Commissioner’s tenure, which he believes is having a positive impact on the morale of officers.
“Since he started his tenure the 18th of March this year, he has promoted over 600 members,” Duncan noted, adding that this level of movement is unprecedented in his 14 years of service. He further shared that additional promotions are on the horizon, with over 130 inspectors poised to move up the ranks. “We have 99 inspectors who were recently trained. Plus we have another 30-something who had passed exams from 2018, 2019, so I’m looking at another 130-something promotions in the near future.”
In addition, Duncan pointed out ongoing development initiatives aimed at equipping officers for advancement, such as the current corporal development course. “We also have a batch of persons doing the Corporal Development Course as we speak,” he said.
Duncan described the Commissioner’s efforts as a significant morale booster for the force, encouraging members to seize the opportunity for upward mobility. He emphasised that promotion is not only a pathway to greater responsibility but also to higher earnings, suggesting that officers look towards advancement rather than relying solely on overtime for increased income. “I want to hail the Commissioner. I want to say thanks to the Commissioner on behalf of all those members with promotions stepping up into the next rank,” he said. “With promotion stepping up into the next rank, we are expected that the pay will go up.”
However, he was measured in his advice, cautioning members against treating overtime
as a substitute for salary. “You must not treat overtime as salary,” he warned, explaining
that the Commissioner must manage the JCF’s wage bill responsibly. He noted that
while the Federation cannot alter the cap on overtime payments, it remains committed
to advocating for officers who are not compensated for their work.
Duncan’s remarks underscored the need for a disciplined approach to career growth within the JCF, blending encouragement with practical advice. His balanced perspective is a testament to his dedication to the welfare and professional development of the JCF’s membership.
With the Commissioner’s proactive stance on promotions and ongoing professional development programmes, Duncan expressed optimism about the future, urging members to remain focused on their goals and to view the current changes as an opportunity for growth within the force.
