The capacity-filled audiences at two events hosted by Consul General Oliver Mair — a distinguished lecture by Dr. Kevin Blake, Jamaica’s Commissioner of Police, and an evening with Prime Minister Andrew Holness — underscored the diaspora’s deep interest and engagement in national development.
Held one week apart in South Florida, the events brought out large crowds. First came the Commissioner’s presentation at the West Broward Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, where he explored the impact of security on national development. A week later, the Prime Minister addressed Jamaica’s current turning point in its pursuit of socioeconomic stability during a town hall at ChristWay Baptist Church in Miramar.
For those of us eagerly moving from one event to the next, there was a quiet but shared anticipation that the two presentations would connect in meaningful ways. We sat as attentive listeners, taking in every word — especially as the Prime Minister urged us to carry his message back to our families and communities in Jamaica.
Dr. Blake, calm yet assertive throughout his interactive presentation (notably raising his shoulders in assurance when pressed on topics such as the murder rate of women and the use of body cameras), began by underlining the critical link between security and national development as he spoke on transforming the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
He framed the discussion with a series of powerful quotes:
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Kofi Annan (former UN Secretary-General): “Without security there can be no development. Without development there can be no security.”
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Franklin D. Roosevelt (former US President): “The first wealth is security. Without it, progress collapses under the weight of uncertainty.”
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Barack Obama (former US President): “The rule of law and security are the cornerstones of a prosperous and stable society.”
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Paul Kagame (President of Rwanda): “Security is the foundation of every successful society. Without stability, investment and growth are impossible.”
Using these as his foundation, Dr. Blake outlined three pillars driving the JCF’s transformation: People, Quality, and Technology. He explained that while transformation efforts have always been in motion throughout his 23 years with the Force (he is the 30th Commissioner and 15th Jamaican-born to hold the role), the initiatives lacked sufficient strategic investment in the past. The pace of reform often depended on the priorities of the serving Commissioner. However, in recent years, a dedicated transformation portfolio was established, complete with a Deputy Commissioner tasked with pushing these efforts forward in a sustained and structured way.
Yes, he seized the floor and relayed a number of interesting developments within the operations of the JCF — from gang management (including a geographic information system developed in-house by the police department, which received an international award) to sophisticated data centres and an upcoming command control communication centre. These tools will enhance the “connected cop,” who is now being equipped with the relevant smart devices. Also noted were cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and personnel, focus deterrence units, fugitive apprehension and quick response teams, and the addition of 340 vehicles to the fleet.
The Force is now intelligence-led, allowing for the rapid development of high-quality case files. Notably, the JCF operates as an ISO 9001-certified unit — a prestigious international standard — now going into its fourth year, which reflects its administrative efficiency and structure.
Murders were down — with a 19 percent reduction — and overall crime had decreased by 18 percent, marking the lowest crime rate Jamaica has seen in 35 years.
This all sank in, bringing us back to the very beginning of his presentation — the transformation of the mindset of JCF members, the people charged with delivering security as a public good, to positively impact national development. Make no mistake — the deep furrows of concern on the public’s collective forehead are not easily smoothed away. And for those of us preparing to spend an evening with the Prime Minister the following week, we were eager to hear how the enabling environment for both security and development would be laid out.
This relationship — security and development — weighed heavily on our minds. Public trust is key to both. The Commissioner had revealed that a recent survey found 75 percent of the public reported satisfaction in their interactions with the police. A good start, perhaps.
The Prime Minister began candidly, stating that he was there to “share his mind” with us, while subtly seeking to understand ours. He described Jamaica as being at an inflection point — a place where long-laid efforts were finally yielding results. However, he acknowledged that transformation, by its nature, can leave some people feeling left behind. This, he explained, is the paradox of progress: while the society transforms, the impact is not always immediately or evenly felt.
He stressed that even in today’s information age, we cannot assume that people are aware of what’s happening. And so, at this critical turning point, it is vital for the government to keep people informed.
This turning point, he said, had brought measurable results: ten consecutive national budgets without the introduction of new taxes; the establishment of an independent central bank now holding the largest reserves in the country’s history; and a stabilized exchange rate. Jamaica, he noted, was outperforming its peers and had moved from the brink of bankruptcy to becoming a global case study in financial management.
The laws of economics, he pointed out, are as immutable as those of physics — hence, the unrelenting need for fiscal prudence. “One cannot live beyond one’s means,” he said. He invoked Norman Manley’s charge to achieve economic independence and linked it to Marcus Garvey’s Black Starliner vision — ideals rooted in self-reliance and dignity. Jamaica’s financial system, he declared, was now strong and resilient.
That resilience, he said, must be protected. We leaned in, once more recalling the Commissioner’s opening quotes, particularly:
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Ronald Reagan: “The first duty of government is to protect its people.”
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Lee Kuan Yew: “Security and development are two sides of the same coin.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that it was time to reculture our society. Violence, he said, had become deeply embedded. His government was adopting a two-pronged approach. The first: treating violence as a public health concern — rooted in domestic issues, parenting, and community dynamics. This form of violence had infiltrated everyday interactions, and the National Violence Prevention Commission was now providing guidance and recommendations.
The second strategy was to remain tough on organized violence, particularly gang-related crime, which accounts for 70 percent of Jamaica’s murders. New legislation was on the way, and the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the police were responding robustly and with agility.
Ultimately, transforming the Force — and reshaping how its members perceive their role — was crucial to national development. A constable should not simply “work a shift” but understand his or her role as a meaningful contributor to the country’s future. This change in mindset is essential to the broader “reculturing” the Prime Minister envisions — a society where police are not seen with suspicion, but as integral parts of the neighborhoods they serve.
This builds trust. It boosts output. And it leads to results.
A message, indeed, worthy of being carried across the country — by both leaders.
