Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

National Security minister Peter Bunting said the Jamaican Government is moving toward implementing a system to ensure the police reduce the number of fatal shootings.

"This administration will be holding the Commissioner of Police, and the High Command, accountable for a reduction of the level of police fatal shootings," Bunting said today.

He was addressing Parliament by way of a statement.

The minister said his ministry will be holding discussions with the Police Service Commission, the Police Civilian Oversight Authority, the Strategic Review Implementation Committee, and the Police Commissioner to develop appropriate performance measure targets.



Bunting said 56 civilians have been killed by the police in the first three months of this year. The minister said the figure is same as the corresponding period last year and significantly less than the corresponding period for 2010.

"It is very important that the police retain the full confidence of the society that they police, which means that they must be ready to account for their actions to society," Bunting said.

He added: "Every use of lethal force has to be investigated, explained and justified."

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com