Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has issued a statement informing the public that he’s on departmental leave following speculation and rumours online about his absence from office.
In the statement on Saturday, Dr Blake noted that he would not ordinarily consider it necessary to respond to every rumour or piece of misinformation circulated about him.
However, Dr Blake says he believe that members of the public who have a genuine interest in knowing the truth deserve to have the facts.
The police commissioner says he is currently on a few days of departmental leave, which was planned several months in advance.
Dr Blake says he is making this clarification because of the growing danger posed by the deliberate creation and circulation of false information, particularly on social media.
He says in today’s environment, some persons appear willing to create stories simply to attract attention, generate likes, shares and engagement, without considering the damage that such irresponsible behaviour can cause to individuals, institutions and public confidence.
Meanwhile, Dr Blake says he will resume duties and be back in office on Monday, September 14.
The police commissioner says upon his return, he will resume leadership of the Force as it prepares to enter the final quarter of 2026, with continued focus on sustaining the historic reductions in murders and other violent crimes and advancing the transformation and modernisation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
