The Jamaica Constabulary Power (JCF) has once more sought to make clear its place on the roll-out of body-worn cameras (BWCs), pushing again in opposition to what it describes as “deceptive commentary” in some sections of the media and reaffirming its dedication to full deployment of the know-how.
In a strongly worded assertion, the JCF Excessive Command stated it has repeatedly shared updates on the BWC programme and disclosed budgetary and operational particulars—data that isn’t usually made public due to nationwide safety issues. The Power stated the transparency was meant to maintain Jamaicans knowledgeable, not to answer exterior strain.
“For a number of months, now we have publicly acknowledged that the Power is actively engaged within the procurement of a further 1,000 BWCs, a course of that’s prolonged and complicated,” the assertion learn. “But, slightly than recognising this as an replace within the spirit of transparency, some retailers have chosen to reframe this data as a response to public strain. This isn’t solely inaccurate, it’s disingenuous.”
The JCF emphasised that calls from advocacy teams for the necessary use of BWCs create a misunderstanding of resistance. “The fact is that we can’t be mandated to make use of instruments that we don’t but have,” the Power famous, explaining that the restricted deployment of cameras displays the monetary and logistical problem of outfitting greater than 8,000 frontline officers. The JCF stated it doesn’t management the federal government’s procurement course of or finances allocations.
Even after the arrival of the extra 1,000 cameras, important protection gaps will stay, the Power admitted, pointing to the excessive prices and infrastructure wants related to a nationwide roll-out. “The nationwide roll-out of BWCs is a very costly and time-consuming endeavour, one which requires cautious planning, infrastructure growth, and sustained budgetary assist,” the assertion stated.
The JCF additionally rejected what it referred to as makes an attempt by advocacy organisations resembling Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Impartial Fee of Investigations (INDECOM) to dictate operational technique. “Let or not it’s clearly said: The JCF is not going to be dictated to by JFJ, INDECOM, or some other group on issues of operational deployment,” the Power stated, whereas including that it stays open to “significant dialogue grounded in details.”
On the identical time, the JCF acknowledged a shared concern with civil society teams: the excessive variety of deadly police shootings. “We now have by no means shied away from this truth, and now we have stated repeatedly that we would favor that quantity to be zero,” the Power stated.
In response to the assertion, lowering police-involved fatalities requires a three-pronged strategy:
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Lowering operational output to keep away from armed confrontations — which the Power insists is just not an choice given Jamaica’s safety challenges.
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Interesting to criminals to cease utilizing lethal power in opposition to law enforcement officials, a name the JCF urged all stakeholders to assist.
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Investigating deadly encounters totally and holding officers accountable when misconduct is discovered, a course of the JCF stated it already helps and cooperates with.
The JCF pressured that the “overwhelming majority” of INDECOM investigations have cleared officers of wrongdoing and reaffirmed its dedication to accountability and modernisation. “That is the mature posture of a Power dedicated to modernisation, not a Power resisting change,” the assertion concluded.
The JCF’s remarks come amid ongoing nationwide debate over police accountability and the tempo of technological reforms. Whereas the Power’s plan to broaden its body-camera programme continues, officers warning that full implementation would require time, funding, and sustained public assist.
