Stand Up For Jamaica alarmed by police fatal shootings, adds to calls for body cameras

Human rights group Stand Up For Jamaica says it is deeply alarmed at the sharp rise in police-involved fatalities and is adding its voice to calls for the use of body-worn cameras.

The organisation says recurring reports of officers not wearing body-worn cameras, especially during planned operations, is a issue of concern.

Citing data from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), it noted that 230 persons have been fatally shot by the security forces so far this year.

By the same date in 2024, the total was 131, representing an approximate 76% increase year-over-year.

Moreover, September alone has seen at least 20 fatal shootings, marking the tenth consecutive month in which 20 or more persons have been killed in encounters with state agents, it was noted.

"These numbers are not just statistics. They speak to lives lost, families devastated, and deepening mistrust in institutions meant to protect public safety. One of the most troubling patterns in the recent incidents is that no body-worn cameras were reported as active or in use during the critical moments of these interventions. INDECOM itself has noted that none of the officers involved in the recent killings were reported to have been wearing BWCs [body-worn cameras]. Independent commentary has underscored that this absence raises serious questions about transparency," asserted Stand Up Jamaica.

"As one commentator observed, if cameras had been worn, they might either corroborate lawful police conduct or expose misconduct, providing clarity and accountability for all parties.

"In the case of the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jahmar Farquharson in Clarendon on September 15, media reports and CCTV footage show him opening his door with his hands up. Yet, he was killed subsequently....we affirm the principle that BWCs are for protection and accountability for all, not only to guard against misconduct but also to shield officers and citizens from false or misrepresented claims."

The human rights group wants the mandatory activation of body-worn cameras during all police interventions, especially operations in which force may be used.

"Officers should not have discretion to disable or deactivate these cameras during interventions. Stand Up for Jamaica also joins its voice to Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) in petitioning for legislation to mandate the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to use body-worn cameras (BWCs), requiring their mandatory use and deployment during planned and tactical operations."

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