Blake announces new Special Investigation Branch

Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake has announced the establishment of the Special Investigation Branch (SIB) following the reassignment of personnel from the former Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC).

C-TOC was a specialised unit responsible for investigating serious crimes including financial fraud, cybercrime, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and intellectual property theft. The new SIB represents a consolidation of several investigative teams into a single unit.

The announcement was made in the commissioner’s weekly Force Orders, which was published yesterday. Force Orders is the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) official internal publication, used to disseminate directives, policies, and notices to personnel.

Explaining the policy shift, the commissioner said the move aligns with the JCF’s modernisation initiative and is intended to strengthen operational synergy, synchronise investigations, and enhance force-wide effectiveness in dismantling criminal networks and addressing persistent crime patterns across Jamaica.

“The SIB consolidates several elite investigative formations into a unified front to boost effectiveness, efficiency, and strengthen oversight,” Blake wrote.

The units to be absorbed into the SIB include: the Fraud Squad and Financial Crimes Investigation Division; National Strategic Anti-Gang Division; Stolen Motor Vehicle Unit; Transnational Crime Investigation Division; Trafficking in Persons Unit; Intellectual Property Crime Unit; Kidnapping Unit; Special Investigation Unit; Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team; and the Legal and Quality Management Unit.

Blake further noted that the SIB will deepen collaboration with the Forensic Services Branch to ensure a scientifically rigorous approach to investigations.

Outlining the mandate of the SIB, the commissioner said it will investigate complex, high-stakes, and sensitive cases, leveraging advanced investigative techniques and support from intelligence and covert evidence-gathering units to lead the JCF’s efforts against organised crime. Beyond investigations, the SIB will also coordinate the resources and efforts of partner agencies to maximise cooperation throughout investigative and prosecutorial processes.

The announcement follows recent developments involving C-TOC personnel.

Weeks ago, Inspector Martin Walker, who was assigned to C-TOC, was arrested after being found with cocaine during what the JCF described as an intelligence-led operation.

Personnel from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division conducted an operation at a bar in Kingston 4 on January 8, during which Walker was detained.

During the operation, he reportedly told officers that cocaine was in his vehicle.

Walker was later granted $2.5 million bail and ordered to surrender his travel documents and report to the police three times per week.

Soon after, the JCF announced several leadership changes within C-TOC. FNID was also removed from C-TOC oversight, Assistant Commissioner of Police Dr Anthony McLaughlin was reassigned to the Forensic Services Branch, and other senior officers were transferred. It was also reported that Senior Superintendent Christopher Brown would assume leadership of C-TOC.