Jamaican Prime Minister Defends Use of States of Public Emergency (SOE)

Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson

December 28, 2022 | Vision Newspaper |

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness is defending his Government’s use of State of Public Emergency (SOE). He was joined by Commissioner of Police Major General Anthony Anderson for a press conference today on the topic.

“The use of States of Public Emergency has once again proven to be the quickest and most effective way of reducing violent crimes. During the first period of the SOEs declared in November, murders were reduced by as much as 64% and increased by as much as 171% during the period when the emergency powers were removed.” – Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson.

We will use the State of Public Emergency tool as long as there is a threat to life and property, as well as communities deprived of citizens’ rights and freedoms, and the situation exceeds the capabilities of our regular law enforcement officers. pic.twitter.com/NW5mvDBJna

— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) December 28, 2022

“The duty of any government is to save lives, and I am confident that our measures this season have resulted in many Jamaicans being safer and many more lives saved. We continue to work on the legislative agenda to increase our capabilities and show our seriousness as a society in combating crime. We continue to work on the Enhanced Security Measures bill, and have already declared our intention to increase the penalty for murder. Other measures to come” said PM Holness.