Chang defends JCF, says criticism of police must be based on evidence

National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has defended the work of the police in fighting crime and reducing murders, saying criticisms against the constabulary force are irresponsible, without merit, and lack empirical data.

Further, Chang commended Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake for adopting a scientific and numbers-driven approach to crime solving, which he said has paid high dividends for the country’s murder and overall crime statistics.

Speaking at the Standing Finance Committee meeting late Thursday night, Chang said criticisms of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) have been unfair given the achievements of the force last year, which resulted in murder reduction statistics not seen in 30 years.

“They conducted 80,000 operations, including nearly 1,000 major operations. It means the police officers are working hard and tirelessly to maintain peace and a good and honest society.

“Broken down into divisions, it means 12 operations per day. That’s what is coming from the police. It’s their numbers — 80,000 operations per year. We cannot ask for more. And even when we increase the budget, this is a fantastic amount of work. And that's how they're operating,” Chang said in response to questions from Opposition Spokesman on National Security Fitz Jackson.

“All that matters is that we must base our criticism on the evidence. We must base our criticism of the police using the facts. And we must seek to protect the integrity of the force and prevent them from being exposed,” Chang told the committee and Jackson.

While acknowledging the impressive statistics the police have achieved, the force has faced criticism from sections of society, including human rights groups, over the increase in fatal police shootings. Many incidents have been disputed by relatives.

Chang has rebuffed the criticisms, particularly those from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).

The national security minister has accused JFJ and other advocacy organisations critical of police conduct of “living off blood money”.

Some of the same bodies that provide funding to JFJ also provide grant funding to the government.

But, in defending the JCF, Chang said fewer than five per cent of police officers involved in fatal shootings are ultimately charged.

“In 2024, when we had a 20 per cent fall, I think police had 189 shootings. But over the three or four years there were some significant numbers. But there are only 11 cases in which police officers have been charged. There were 11 cases in 2024 when policemen were charged. Only three of those cases involved policemen on duty. The other eight were active policemen in civil situations — an argument at a bar, a quarrel with somebody at home, and typical criminal violence activity,” the minister said.

He noted that investigations are conducted by the police as well as by oversight body Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).

Chang said only three cases were related to policemen in action, and one included a case from 2020.

According to him, INDECOM has accepted the rate of prosecution, which he said reflects an effective prosecution rate of less than five per cent.

“In fact, this is 3.4 per cent, Member Jackson. So there is absolutely no empirical evidence to suggest that policemen are shooting anybody irresponsibly,” Chang said.

Dr Chang expressed the view that Jamaicans do not like police officers but are quick to criticise them.

Jackson responded by stating that the public does not dislike the police.

In April 2025, Andrew Holness gave the full support of Jamaica House to a call to wear blue in support of the JCF on the same day a protest march against the actions of the force was staged.

JFJ had organised the “Wear Black” campaign to highlight concerns over police brutality and the rise in questionable police shootings.

Chang also used the opportunity to praise the police for the dramatic increase in firearm recoveries.

“Finding firearms, both in terms of intelligence and targeted raids, but also through the work of the police’s Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch — which is the traffic management system — which is catching people on the road with firearms,” Chang said.

erica.virtue@gleanerjm

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