Commanding Officer for the Manchester Division, Superintendent Carey Duncan, has praised the work of detectives in the parish, saying the quality of investigations being mounted is translating directly into strong conviction rates before the courts.

Superintendent Duncan says the division’s recent success is rooted in what he described as “the highest quality” information and intelligence apparatus, coupled with investigative capacity and operational agility that allow police to identify, arrest and charge the right individuals.

“We have the ability, the capability to build airtight cases. Cases that we know, when they are brought before the court, we will certainly secure convictions,” he said.

Speaking with the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), Superintendent Duncan disclosed that since the start of the current court circuit, eleven persons have been convicted in Manchester, including three for murder, with sentences ranging from 15 to 35 years. “We take pride in Manchester in bringing matters before the court,” he said, noting that convictions have also been secured for a range of other criminal activities across the division.

The divisional commander sought to reassure residents that Manchester remains, in his words, “a very, very safe place,” despite challenges in a limited area outside the town centre. “Mandeville, the general Manchester area, is indeed a very safe place at this time,” Superintendent Duncan said, adding that up to the end of January last year, there had been no murders recorded within the town centre itself.

Addressing recent violent incidents, Superintendent Duncan said police investigations have already resulted in the arrest of one suspect, with investigators expressing confidence that charges will be laid. He also appealed to another person of interest to voluntarily report to the police.

“We are still asking that he make the conscious decision and turn himself in to us. We certainly want to ask him some questions; questions that we believe will help us to advance our investigation.”

Superintendent Duncan cautioned against any perception that violent crime can be committed in Manchester with impunity. “I don’t want persons to believe that it’s okay to commit violent acts in Manchester with the hope that they will get away,” he said. “Our investigative processes in Manchester are of the highest quality, and we’re seeing where that has played out in terms of arrests and convictions.”

He also issued a pointed warning to criminal suspects against engaging police officers with violence, stressing that the preferred outcome is arrest and prosecution, not deadly confrontation. “If it is that we have any reason at all to come for you, it is very unwise that you will raise your weapon at us,” Superintendent Duncan said. “Certainly, we will be responding, and responding quite effectively.”

He added, “It is in your interest to surrender peacefully. We want you to live to have your day in court.”

Superintendent Duncan credited the division’s performance to a coordinated effort across multiple units, including detectives, quick response teams, operational support units and regular patrol personnel. “I couldn’t have achieved what we achieved last year without the support of the men and women on the ground,” he said. “They are the ones who really bring it together for us to see the kind of results that we saw.”

Looking ahead, the divisional commander expressed confidence that the gains made will be built upon in the coming year. “What we saw last year is nothing compared to what we believe we will achieve in 2026,” he said.

The Manchester Division’s results, he added, reflect the wider emphasis within the Jamaica Constabulary Force on intelligence-led policing, strong case-building and securing justice through the courts.