Murders continue to fall

The Minister of National Security and Peace, Dr Horace Chang, has commended the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for achieving a historic reduction in murders in January 2026.

He described the outcome as the result of sustained, intelligence-led policing supported by strategic investments and policy direction from the ministry.

Based on police statistics, 33 murders were recorded in January, representing a 55 per cent reduction compared to January 2025, when 74 murders were recorded.

It is the lowest January murder figure recorded in the country in more than 40 years.

"These results did not happen by chance," Chang said. "They reflect years of focused policy reform, targeted resourcing, and coordinated operational planning between the ministry and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Our approach has been to strengthen institutional capacity, modernise policing practices, and ensure that crime reduction is pursued in a way that supports long-term stability and peace."

The minister noted that January's performance builds on a record-breaking 2025, during which Jamaica achieved a 41 per cent reduction in murders along with a 31 per cent decline in shootings and a 17 per cent decrease in overall major crimes.

In 2025, police recorded 673 murders, which marked the first time since 1994, that murders fell below 700.

Chang emphasised that sustained effort will be required to protect these gains and reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to continuing support for the JCF through policy leadership, institutional reform, and investment in both enforcement and prevention strategies.

"Our crime reduction efforts must be sustained," he continued. "We will continue to resource and support the police, strengthen accountability frameworks, and deepen community engagement to ensure these gains are secured, sustained, and built upon throughout 2026 and beyond".