KINGSTON, Jamaica, Nov. 14, CMC – Jamaica’s St. Catherine parish has recorded 59 murders so far this year, its lowest homicide toll in 35 years, according to a senior police officer.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Leighton Gray, Commanding Officer of the St. Catherine South Division, said his division recorded 33 murders, while the St. Catherine North Division reported 26.
“This is a significant achievement by both divisions, and it represents an encouraging milestone which has never been achieved in the parish of St. Catherine for the last 35 years,” Gray said on Thursday.
He attributed the decline to the work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), intelligence-led operations and stronger partnerships with stakeholders.
“These results are not by chance. They reflect the dedication, sacrifices, and relentless effort of the hardworking men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), supported by a strategic policing initiative, intelligence-led operations, and strengthened partnership with our stakeholders,” he added.
Gray said the results were also linked to a unified policing approach known as ‘One St. Catherine’, which has strengthened cooperation between the two divisions.
Although the parish is divided into two geographical police divisions, he said, closer coordination between their leadership teams had removed traditional jurisdictional barriers, allowing officers to operate across boundaries and respond collectively to threats.
Despite the reduction in murders, Gray said the police remained vigilant, adding that “even one life lost to violence is one too many”.
He also called on the JPs to help sustain the progress through community involvement and efforts to prevent disputes from escalating into violence.
“Through your influence, community involvement, and commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, you can assist in preventing disputes from escalating into acts of violence and encourage greater cooperation between citizens and the police,” he said.
Gray reminded the JPs of the responsibility attached to their appointment, urging them to uphold the law, act with integrity and administer justice without “fear, favour, affection, or ill will”.
CMC/ed/2026