The Impartial Fee of Investigations (INDECOM) has confirmed that not one of the 23 law enforcement officials concerned within the September 15 raid that resulted within the demise of 22-year-old Jahmar Farquharson wore physique cameras.
Following his demise, his household launched footage from inside the home which exhibits Farquharson opening his door and elevating his arms in obvious give up to law enforcement officials. The footage has since gone viral on social media and sparked outrage throughout the nation.
Deputy Commissioner Hamish Campbell additionally revealed that Farquharson was not named on the search warrant executed in the course of the operation at a Cherry Tree Lane residence in 4 Paths. “It’s positively a unique title. It’s not Jahmar Farquharson on the warrant,” Campbell stated, noting that investigators are exploring whether or not the individual listed is related to the property.
In line with the police account, Farquharson answered the door, allowed officers inside, and was escorted again to his bed room after the home was cleared. Officers allege he reached for a .38 revolver hidden amongst clothes, prompting two officers to fireside two rounds every, fatally wounding him.
Campbell harassed the significance of body-worn cameras, noting that they might have bolstered police stories and guarded each officers and civilians, notably in controversial instances. He confirmed that INDECOM has secured CCTV footage from the incident and is conducting a radical evaluation, however declined to touch upon what it exhibits because of circulating unverified clips on social media.
The absence of physique cameras has lengthy been a degree of rivalry between INDECOM and the Jamaica Constabulary Pressure (JCF). The police have defended their gradual deployment, citing infrastructure and coaching necessities, whereas Nationwide Safety Minister Dr. Horace Chang beforehand questioned their effectiveness in hostile confrontations.
The incident has sparked public outrage amid file declines in murders nationwide this 12 months. But INDECOM stories a 73% enhance in deadly shootings by safety forces, with 225 deaths recorded since January 1, many stemming from deliberate operations.
Farquharson, a former scholar of Denbigh Excessive and Vere Technical Excessive Faculties, was employed by the Nationwide Water Fee and had entrepreneurial pursuits in catering, beekeeping, and welding. INDECOM is predicted to launch a proper report by the top of September.
