At no point in the national calendar is the public’s scrutiny of the Jamaica Constabulary Force more intense than during an election season. The stakes are never simply political. They are institutional, cultural, and moral. It is with this reality in mind that Police Commissioner, Dr Kevin Blake’s latest column in the Force Orders speaks clearly and urgently. This week, he reminds us not only of our constitutional responsibilities but of the deeper principles that must animate our conduct.
The opening context is important. Crime continues its downward trajectory, a fact too easily lost in the polarising noise of political campaigns. “As at yesterday, Thursday July 24th, and with 7 days to go before the month ends, we have seen 33 murders less than the similar period in July last year… an almost 43% reduction for the month of July and the 3rd quarter.” Against this backdrop of progress, the Commissioner issues a sober call to vigilance; not merely in crime suppression, but in conduct.
The electoral season demands high-definition professionalism. This is not merely about appearance, but about operational integrity. “We are not at liberty to consciously and deliberately engage in any activity that may give the appearance of a political bias during the conduct of our duty,” he said. In those words lie the essence of the JCF’s role in Jamaican democracy. The legitimacy of elections depends on a policing service that can enforce the law without fear, without favour, and without affiliation.
The Commissioner pulls no punches in his treatment of political partisanship among serving members. “Any such breach of political neutrality… may result in strong disciplinary actions that include reprimand or demotion, suspension, or dismissal.” This is not mere institutional posturing. It is a reflection of the reality that the moment we lose the trust of the people, the rule of law becomes vulnerable.
Rules around political activity are not incidental. They are etched into the foundational texts of the organisation. As such, Dr Blake reminds us that, “The rules are clearly outlined in the JCF Code of Conduct, Police Service Regulations, and supported by the JCF Act.” Every member is held to account by these codes, not to limit them as individuals, but to protect the collective credibility of the Force. Our operational independence must never be compromised by personal ideology.
The list of prohibited political activities is exhaustive and unambiguous: “attending political meetings or rallies while not on duty; openly supporting or opposing political parties or candidates; making political statements in public forums including social media; distributing political literature; or participating in political campaign activities.” Each act is a potential infraction. But more importantly, each is a breach of the compact between the JCF and the public.
The democratic process is fragile. Trust is even more so. The Commissioner rightly warns: “The public must be confident that we enforce the law without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation.” In a country where politics can often become a combustible force, neutrality must not only be a policy; it must be a posture. One misstep can cost the organisation more than credibility; it can endanger the very order we seek to uphold.
But this isn’t a message of warning alone. It is also a message of belief. Our Commissioner affirms his confidence in the membership when he says, “I pray no such case of improper political conduct ever occurs, especially during this season.” That faith must be earned daily. In “these defining times, when the stakes are high… our professionalism must shine brighter than ever.”
And so the message does not stop at exhorting us to avoid missteps. It is about lifting standards. “Our legacy will be judged not only by the numbers we drive down, but by the standards we lift up.” That sentence deserves to be engraved on every noticeboard in every police station. It reframes success not as the absence of failure but as the presence of ethical leadership.
The Commissioner’s words are a reminder that political professionalism is not a seasonal responsibility. It is a permanent condition of membership in this noble organisation.
