Key Takeaways
- Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake advised the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to avoid rushing to judgment on allegations against members.
- Despite his advice, Blake disbanded the Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Branch (C-TOC) over cocaine allegations, appearing contradictory.
- The public perceives Blake’s actions as hasty and believes he’s acting under pressure, damaging his credibility.
- The ongoing narcotics investigation involves several high-ranking police officers and explores whether they under-reported cocaine seizures.
- Given the scandal’s severity, there are calls for Commissioner Blake to resign as the largest corruption issue occurred under his leadership.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In a recent edition of the JCF Force Orders, Commissioner of Police Dr. Kevin Blake urged members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to “reject the temptation to allow allegations to become convictions in the court of public opinion.”
His remarks came amidst an investigation involving members of the disbanded Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime Branch (C-TOC) regarding cocaine allegations.
However, Commissioner Blake’s actions seem to contradict his words. He disbanded C-TOC following reports that the agency allegedly underreported the quantity of cocaine seized during an operation.
Dr. Blake disbanding an entire team based on a single allegation, without allowing due process, is neither fair nor right.
As a result, the Commissioner’s decision to take such drastic action leads the public to assume that C-TOC has been a blemish on the JCF all along. In addition, the public believes he only acted when faced with pressure.
Dr. Kevin Blake should resign as Commissioner of the JCF because the biggest corruption scandal in the JCF occurred under his watch.
I agree with Dr. Kevin Blake, who stated, “The recent allegations involving members of the JCF have placed the organization under significant scrutiny.”
Dr. Kevin Blake continued, “Colleagues, we cannot pretend that allegations of this nature have no impact on the organization. They do. Whether ultimately proven or disproven, such allegations place a tremendous strain on the fragile goodwill and public confidence that we have worked so tirelessly to build over many years.”
Commissioner Blake should resign because the cocaine scandal has severely damaged his credibility. Furthermore, he cannot escape blame, given that the largest corruption scandal in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) took place under his leadership.
Suffice to say, nearly two weeks ago, homes and other locations associated with at least two high-ranking police officers were searched. These officers were previously part of the now-disbanded Counter-Terrorism and Organized Crime (C-TOC) division. This was part of an expanding high-level narcotics investigation, according to reports from The Gleaner, citing multiple law enforcement sources.
The investigation reportedly involves nearly a dozen high-ranking police officers and former military personnel.
Investigators are looking into whether C-TOC officers significantly under-reported the amount of cocaine seized during an operation in Green Island, Hanover, last year.
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