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‘We will come out harder’ - Commish vows tough action against criminals
January 04, 2022
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says the men and women under his command will "come out harder" this year as they push to reduce major crimes on the island.
Anderson, speaking at the Jamaica Constabulary Force's (JCF) annual devotion at his Old Hope Road office in St Andrew yesterday, pledged the force's commitment to work harder and do things differently, even while maintaining strategies that bore success in some areas.
Based on preliminary numbers, a staggering 1,463 murders were recorded in Jamaica last year, which represents a 10 per cent increase when compared to 2020. There was, however, an overall eight per cent reduction in major crimes.
"This year we will come out harder, in a more effective way; we will push against those people who wish to harm our population. That is the nature of tenacity... it is to lean forward into the wind and push, [because] just on the other side of that resistance is the success of our country and the safety of our people," Anderson said.
Anderson said that the JCF embarked on several transformational initiatives last year, and the organisation is ready to forge ahead and strengthen these projects for improved service delivery.
"This transformation we are invested in is going to give us the capabilities to deliver better service to the country. I am confident that some of the things we started ... will start to impact what we are doing this year," said Anderson.
The commissioner also urged the members of the force to be sensitive to the needs of the public they serve.
"We, as the police force, have to pay attention to the person seeking help for something that does not only involve violence and death, but to other things that we are required to deliver. It is critical that our members -- even when you're tired, even when you're fatigued, even when you're faced with difficulties -- treat every member of the public with respect and concern," he said.
MURDERS SINCE 2010
2010 1,447
2011 1,133
2012 1,102
2013 1,202
2014 1,005
2015 1,208
2016 1,354
2017 1,647
2018 1,287
2019 1,339
2020 1,323
2021 .. 1,463* (Preliminary)
