Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake is showering the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) with high commendations for its performance during the onslaught of Hurricane Beryl, which brushed just south of the island two weeks ago.

Blake, speaking at a JCF press briefing on Tuesday (July 16), would recall the challenges faced by his forces before, during and after the onset of the Category 4 intensity cyclone, concluding that in spite of these, the constabulary remained steadfast and capable throughout.

The commissioner likened Hurricane Beryl to a Litmus test, one that proved and showcased the efforts made by the JCF to improve and grow itself into a better organization more versatile and equipped to meet the needs of the Jamaican public.

“The transformation we speak of, in our people, in our quality systems, and in our technology platforms, and applications is being felt,” he commented.

Blake would place great praise on the reaction and quick response time of his organisation during the
storm.

The police commissioner claims that this is due to the increased Police presence in public places, alongside the improved communication networks and strategies employed by the constabulary.

In his words, the top cop stated that these great strides had borne fruit ‘in times of stress and emergency’,
proving themselves during the chaos of the hurricane.

Commissioner Blake was largely pleased that police assets, buildings and the like had overall fared well
during Hurricane Beryl, in spite of the powerful winds and a notable storm surge.

“JCF physical infrastructure has fared well,” he noted. “We have activated our project management teams, and repair work has commenced on properties affected by the hurricane.”

Despite this rosy assessment, however, Blake would make clear that there were still some areas hit hard.
Special attention would be given to one particular police station at Exeter in southern Clarendon, which
had lost its roof during the storm. The commissioner would commend the 20 police personnel present, lauding them for not ‘losing their nerve’ amidst great adversity, but were instead ‘forward thinking and resourceful’, working to present important documents, evidence and other items of sensitivity being lost or destroyed in the wind and rain.

Blake would continue to applaud the small police presence in Exeter, noting that there was also video
evidence of the officers deployed there also taking the time to clear trees and other debris from the roadways to enable citizens to leave the area and for desperately needed supplies and first response aid
to make its way into the community.

The commissioner would describe such acts as only a small part of the wider heroism on display by the entire JCF during the tumultuous period.

The highest praises would not be bestowed upon the reliability of State buildings, or new JCF
reforms and technological advancements. Blake instead directed these accolades to the men and
women of the constabulary themselves, while also highlighting the importance of
ensuring that their needs and welfare were met.

“It was important for me to be in the field to meet one-on-one with my officers and members. I wanted
to find out how they fared if they had suffered any damage at home, and how they were doing at a
personal level. Because when officers leave their homes, to go out in the height of a natural disaster to
serve and protect others, it is a huge demand on them physically and mentally.”

In light of these concerns, Blake would state that he had ordered the JCF property management and
maintenance division and welfare units to carry out assessments and help relieve any issues of property
damage or dislocation facing the personal residences of Police officers affected by the storm.