JAMAICA | PNP congratulates Kevin Blake as new Commissioner of Police

KINGSTON, Jamaica. March 13, 2024: The Opposition PNP has noted the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police Kevin Blake as Commissioner of Police effective March 19, 2024 and has congratulated him on this achievement.

In a statement today, the PNP's spokesman on National Security Senator  Peter Bunting  said "the appointment of a Police Commissioner is a matter for the Police Service Commission, and the Opposition would not second guess their selection.  However, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, and we will be carefully observing his performance in the new role. "

The Opposition said it was using "the occasion of this appointment to remind the new Commissioner that the JCF Act gives sole operational superintendence of the Force to the Commissioner, while policy is the purview of the Minister/Cabinet, and in some cases - like extending a  State of Emergency - to Parliament."

"We therefore caution him not to involve the JCF in public advocacy for matters that the Constitution reserves for Parliament, and on which there is no political consensus." 

"As we approach an election season, we also remind the Commissioner that it is especially important that the JCF be seen as an impartial and professional Force whose operations should support the democratic process rather than one party or another’s interests."

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang confirmed  today that the government supports the Office of the Services Commission's (OSC) choice of Dr. Kevin Blake as the new head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), during the post-cabinet press briefing held this morning (March 13).

Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, confirmed that the government supports the Office of the Services Commission's (OSC) choice of Dr. Kevin Blake as the new head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), during the post-cabinet press briefing held this morning… pic.twitter.com/oqD8uTGo5m

— JISNews (@JISNews) March 13, 2024