Commissioner Blake Praises Police Officers for Hurricane Beryl Response

Police Commissioner, Dr. Kevin Blake, has heaped praises on members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for their valiant efforts across the country, in the wake of Hurricane Beryl’s passage recently.

“I am immensely proud of the men and women of the JCF who were everywhere during the storm, present and highly responsive, pressing into the teeth of the wind, so to speak, to bring well-needed relief and assistance to those in distress,” Dr. Blake said during the JCF’s quarterly press briefing on Tuesday (July 16).

He disclosed that approximately 10,000 police personnel were ready and available for deployment as Jamaica braced for and was affected by the Category Four Beryl.

Additionally, all the island’s main thoroughfares were monitored by highway patrols, mobile patrols were made available for domestic and business districts, and a quick response unit was ready for deployment.

“When officers leave their homes and their families to go out in the height of a natural disaster to serve and protect others, it is a huge demand on them both physically and mentally,” Dr. Blake emphasised.

Consequently, he said the JCF’s Property Management and Maintenance Division and Welfare Unit have been directed to conduct assessments and take steps to alleviate any challenges or dislocation being experienced by any of its members, arising from the hurricane.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Blake advised that the JCF’s physical infrastructure “fared well” during Beryl, adding that project management teams have been activated and repair work has commenced on properties that were affected by the hurricane.