Commissioner Blake urges public to ‘read, understand, then comment’

Writing in his latest "Commissioner's Corner" column in the weekly Force Orders, Dr. Blake addressed the growing public commentary surrounding the internal JCF feature. While welcoming public interest, he cautioned that difficulties arise when criticism is based on sensationalized headlines rather than the full text.

"There are some spaces who make their own headlines, and skew much of what is said to create different messages," Dr. Blake wrote. He advised external commentators to "avoid commenting on an article that you have not read”, offering a simple directive: "Read, understand, then comment."

The commissioner clarified that he is not objecting to criticism, noting that informed responses can provide "good feedback and suggestions" that the organization can use. However, he placed the issue within the wider context of social media, which he said has changed the speed and reach of communication.

While acknowledging the positive power of digital platforms to mobilize assistance and expose wrongdoing, Dr. Blake warned they are equally capable of spreading false information and manufacturing controversy.

"There are those who have chosen to use these platforms not to inform but to misinform; not to build but to destroy," he stated, noting that some measure success by "likes, shares, views and followers... even when what they are circulating is false."

He cautioned against equating popularity with credibility. "The fact that something is circulating widely does not make it true. The fact that someone has thousands of followers does not make them credible. And the fact that a story is sensational does not make it worthy of our attention."

To his own officers, Dr. Blake emphasized the need for "blinkered focus" — a disciplined approach that requires remaining receptive to legitimate criticism while refusing to be distracted by every rumour or provocative post.

"Not everything that is said about us deserves a response," he said. "Sometimes the most disciplined response is no response at all."