Tackle police corruption
Published:Tuesday | May 27, 2025 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Police corruption has been a serious and longstanding problem within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. This has been significantly hindering the police force from effectively tackling crimes. Recently, a former retired assistant commissioner of police and former retired senior superintendent of police in a radio discussion programme stated that the widespread levels of corruption across all levels of the police force is a serious national security issue which must be tackled by the present police commissioner Dr Kevin Blake. Among his major priorities should be to comprehensively clean up the corruption from within the force which is all pervasive and getting worse.
We concur with those two former retired high-ranking officers who outlined the levels of corruption and the urgency for Commissioner Blake to tackle this problem head-on. Recently, four detectives from a police unit were arrested and charged for alleged corruption. Over the past weekend, according to a TVJ evening newscast, a detective corporal was reportedly taken into police custody for a crime. Although the murder rate has somewhat declined since the beginning of this year, serious organised crimes such as drug trafficking, lottery scamming, cybercrimes, illegal gun trade and white-collar crimes continue to increase and require urgent and forceful action from the police force.
It is of imperative need for Commissioner Blake to tabulate a workable plan for implementation to investigate and remove the corrupt police forces from the JCF and those senior corrupt officers who can be retired in the public’s interests. A senior member of the Holness-led administration publicly articulated that the gangs have infiltrated some areas of the JCF which requires urgent action. PM Holness and National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang must recognise this serious issue of police corruption forthwith and ensure that Commissioner Blake has the requisite resources to tackle the issue of police corruption. This should be the top priority at this time.
ROBERT DALLEY.