Dr. Kevin Blake will assume the post of Police Commissioner on Tuesday, March 19. (Gleaner file photo)
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Senator Peter Bunting, Shadow Minister on Citizen Security and Productivity
The parliamentary opposition has congratulated Dr. Kevin Blake on his appointment to the post of Commissioner of Police.
Dr. Blake, who is currently one of four Deputy Commissioners, will assume the new post on Tuesday March 19.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the People’s National Party said it will be carefully observing his performance in the new role.
Senator Peter Bunting, Shadow Minister on Citizen Security and Productivity, also used the opportunity to remind Dr. Blake that the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act gives sole operational superintendence of the Force to the Commissioner, while policy is the purview of the Cabinet minister and in some cases Parliament.
“We therefore caution the new Commissioner not to involve the JCF in public advocacy for matters that the Constitution reserves for Parliament and on which there is no political consensus. As we approach an election season, we also remind the Commissioner that it becomes especially important that the JCF behave and be seen as an impartial and professional force whose operations should support the democratic process rather than one party or another’s partisan interests,” Mr. Bunting asserted.
Dr. Blake, who will become the Jamaica’s 15th Commissioner of Police when he takes office next week, joined the Jamaica Constabulary Force in 2002.
He was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police on June 1, 2020, after serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police for seven years prior.
He has held several significant assignments in the JCF, including command of police Areas 3 and 4, National Intelligence Bureau, Planning Research and Development Branch and Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.
Dr. Blake was conferred the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer in 2021.
He is the holder of a Ph.D. in Sustainable Development from the University of the West Indies and also has a Master of Science Degree in Computer-Based Management Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics.
In addition, Dr. Blake attained certification in several specialised areas relevant to policing, including but not limited to Strategic Command, Strategy and International Security, Major Event Security Management and Caribbean Defense and Security.
Dr. Blake’s appointment as Jamaica’s 15th native Commissioner of Police follows the conclusion of a comprehensive selection process that was conducted by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Dr. Blake will take over the role from Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson, whose tenure will end on March 18.
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