JCF Expects Continued Decline in Murders for 2026

With the gains made in reducing violent crimes across the island, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is expressing confidence that murders will remain low in 2026.

As at December 8, Jamaica recorded 463 fewer murders compared to the same period in 2024, a 42.5 per cent reduction.

Projections indicate that the country will finish the year with fewer than 700 murders, well below the 1,000-mark that has persisted for many years.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on December 8, Assistant Commissioner of Police assigned to the Strategic Operations Portfolio and the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch, Dr. Gary McKenzie, says the JCF plans to remain focused and deliberate as it continues its crime-reduction efforts.

“So far in 2025, we have done very well in terms of our policing methods in reducing major crimes and, certainly, murders. As a matter of fact, we are approximately 42 per cent reduction in terms of murder and, certainly, in terms of major crimes, close to 20 per cent. This is something that we want to maintain going into 2026 and beyond,” he says.

ACP McKenzie notes that Jamaica has long struggled with high murder rates.

He, however, notes that with increased investments in the JCF, improvements in human capacity and technological improvements, the current trajectory is a testament that offers hope for lasting transformation.

“For many years, we have recorded more than 1,000 murders. We are on the trajectory to reduce murders, certainly under 1,000. This is something very significant for our country… . It is offering us the opportunity of growth… peace and harmony… [and] investment in our country,” he says.

He credits targeted policing, stronger operations, and robust partnerships as key drivers of the decline.

“We have targeted gangsters, we have intercepted criminals on the go [and] we have recovered a large number of guns. We have been working with our international partners in terms of dealing with organised crimes across the country and region… one of the main things that will help us to be successful, and we will continue to dominate and occupy the spaces and to target high-risk targets,” he says.

For his part, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police and Deputy Director at the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), Victor Barrett, highlighted the JCF’s increasing use of parallel financial investigations to dismantle criminal networks.

“At C-TOC, what we’re doing is we are taking the profit from the crime. So, [for] each investigation, we open a parallel money laundering investigation… where we are hitting them in their pockets,” he says.

He explains that the strategy is proving effective across several crime categories.

“Whether it’s a stolen motor vehicle, human trafficking, gang-related, fraud, we are looking into their assets, and they are realising now that the police are coming after them. So that, in itself, is a deterrent to them,” Acting SSP Barrett says.

He adds that the use of civil remedies has helped weaken criminal organisations.

“We assess them based on their lifestyle and the burden of proof is on them to show the court how they come about these assets, and it’s working,” he says.

In the meantime, Head of the Constabulary Communications Network, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dahlia Garrick, emphasises that community partnership remains a major pillar of the JCF’s crime-fighting success.

“A big part of the success is a shared one – the partnership with our citizens, that collaboration. Communities [are] taking a stand that enough is enough,” she states.

She notes that strategic communication and public awareness have helped Jamaicans understand their role in national safety.

“We have also our active communication, public awareness, just allowing residents to understand the role that they must play in keeping themselves and the country safe,” SSP Garrick states.

She adds that the JCF has been strengthening its internal capacity through training, technology and improved service quality.

“We have had thousands of persons trained, retrained, recertified… . Our numbers have grown. We have a high command that is highly strategic and a force that is mission-oriented and directed,” SSP Garrick states.

She says the Force will continue to build trust and confidence within communities to preserve and extend the gains achieved.

“Our Community Safety and Security Team… is able to share what is happening within the JCF to enhance citizen security… to give communities the confidence for them to understand that they can rely and depend on the Jamaica Constabulary Force to keep them safe. All of that will be further utilised, galvanised to build on the gains that we have achieved in 2025,” she notes.

As Jamaica looks towards 2026, the JCF says it remains committed to a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach aimed at preventing violence, dismantling criminal networks, strengthening community engagement and maintaining the downward trajectory of murders.