Who Protects our Protectors? The Mental Strain on Jamaica’s Police

Against the backdrop of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the demand for police officers is especially high. As of November 11, 2025 the Jamaica Information Service reported a death toll of 45 persons, and this figure is expected to rise in the coming weeks as water recedes and marooned areas become accessible. In all of this, there is mounting pressure on police officers and other security personnel to verify deaths, locate missing persons, conduct welfare checks and act as personal guards to regular citizens traversing to the Western end of the island to render aid. Not to mention, the Agriculture Protection Branch has been placed on high alert to intercept contaminated meat (carcasses from the storm) before it reaches public consumption. In these high-stress times, who is considering the needs of our first responders?

With such high demand, another storm is quietly brewing within the ranks of our police force. This storm doesn’t make headlines or sweep across parishes, but rages quietly within the hearts of our police officers. As they stand on the frontlines to protect and serve, many are also fighting an invisible battle, acting as both shields and sponges for the nation’s pain. They absorb fear, grief, and frustration while carrying their own. It is no secret that policing is a profession haunted by loss, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is no exception. In the US, the UK, and here at home, officers are caught in the crosswinds of duty and despair, where high stress often gives way to burnout, depression, and tragically, suicide. Though Jamaica’s police suicide rate averages about 1 officer per year, each life lost leaves ripples far beyond the station walls. Between 2001 and 2024, both active and retired officers have succumbed to the storm within. The most recent suicide in October 2025 is a sobering reminder that even those sworn to protect us need protection too.

Police suicide has long sparked public concern and in 2017 Commissioner of Police, Dr. Carl Williams commissioned an investigation. The research team surveyed 305 police officers in Kingston & St. Andrew to understand burnout and suicidal ideations within the JCF. These figures from 2017 are alarming and only represent Kingston & St. Andrew. However, it brings several concerns to the fore: What are the current figures? How widespread are burnout and suicidal ideations? How can we support mental health in the JCF?

Key Takeaways

• 3% of police officers experienced thoughts of suicide

• 9% of officers were at risk for committing suicide

• 5% of police officers were burnt out  

• 51% of police officers were emotionally exhausted

• 31% of officers reported depersonalization (i.e. detached and cynical)

• 73% of officers felt moderate to high levels of personal accomplishment

The findings were even more interesting across Divisions.

SAC- St. Andrew Central:

Matilda’s corner

Papine

National Stadium

New Kingston

Crossroads

KE- Kingston East:

Harbour View

Rollington Town

Rockfort

Mountain View

Vineyard Town

KC- Kingston Central:

City Centre

Gold Street

Fletcher’s land

KW- Kingston West:

Admiral Town

Denham Town

Darling Street

Trench Town

SAS- St. Andrew South:

Duhaney Park

Hunt’s Bay

Olympic Gardens

Seaview Gardens

Officers from Kingston West (33%) were more likely to experience burnout, followed by Kingston Central (27%) and St. Andrew Central (21%).

Kingston West (57%), Kingston Central (55%) and Kington East (54%) had the highest number of officers suffering from emotional exhaustion. Symptoms of emotional exhaustion include anxiety, nervousness, fatigue, irritability etc.

Officers from the Kingston West division (45%) and Kingston East (34%) were more likely to be affected by depersonalization. This is particularly damning for interaction with the public, as these officers are more likely to be impersonal and cynical.

Officers from Kingston Central (62%), Kingston West (62%) and Kingston East (59%) reported the highest levels of personal accomplishment. This is interesting, as these divisions show consistently high levels of both exhaustion and depersonalization. Perhaps the workload (i.e. crime) in these divisions is higher compared to St. Andrew Central and St. Andrew South. Despite the high workload, the officers feel a sense of accomplishment.

Despite the high reports of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization in the Kingston West Division, they did not have the highest rates of suicide risk. Surprisingly, St. Andrew South showed the highest level of suicide risk (6%) compared to other divisions, with Kingston West following closely behind (4%).

Overall, these findings suggest that Kingston West and St. Andrew South require immediate attention to buffer the mental health of its officers. Suicide risk means that an individual has reached the threshold for actually committing suicide. This surpasses thoughts about suicide (e.g. considering or planning), but breaches into intent and more serious suicidal behaviours (e.g. talking, joking or posting about suicide, actively seeking ways to enact plans of suicide, self-harm etc).

There are many factors that contribute to burnout and suicidal ideations e.g. poor working conditions, inadequate compensation and stress. Notably, the JCF has made important strides since 2017. The Rebuild, Overhaul and Construct’ (ROC)  project has successfully rebuilt and renovated scores of police stations and Commissioner Blake reported the highest number of promotions in 2024. Although body worn cameras would go a long way to relieve stress associated with the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) investigations by providing support for the JCF against use of force and other allegations, the roll-out is lagging, with the promise of additional cameras by the end of the year.

Furthermore, while the Medical Services Branch of the JCF is staffed with Psychiatrists, Clinical or Counselling Psychologists and Chaplains, police officers are mainly provided with psychological services after they have experienced a “critical incident”. Many of the psychological services are reactive rather than preventative as there is no regular monitoring of psychological wellbeing. Generally, there is an aura of mistrust between subordinates and management. This lack of psychological safety reduces the likelihood that officers will utilize the available resources.

As Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, it is essential that the wellbeing of our first responders does not remain an afterthought. Police officers and other security personnel serve on the frontlines of crisis response, often at great personal and psychological cost. While infrastructural improvements and promotions signal progress within the Jamaica Constabulary Force, true reform must extend beyond the physical workspace. Proactive mental health support, continuous psychological monitoring, and a culture of trust between ranks are critical to safeguarding those who protect us. In a nation rebuilding from both natural and emotional storms, caring for the caretakers is not a luxury, it is a necessity for resilience and national recovery.

Reference

Wray, C. A., & Jarrett, S. B. (2019). The relationship between burnout and suicidal ideations among Jamaican police officers. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 21(3), 181-189. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461355719856026