KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) on Tuesday said that it is investigating at least 12 police related killings since the start of the new year, including three incidents of multiple fatalities.
INDECOM, which is a civilian-staffed Commission of the Parliament of Jamaica responsible for investigating actions by the security forces and other state agents that result in death, injury, or the abuse of citizens’ rights, said that the latest triple fatal shooting occurred on Monday.
“Yesterday’s triple fatal shooting is the third such multiple fatality incident investigated by the Commission since the start of 2026. On January 1, INDECOM commenced investigations into two separate triple fatal shooting incidents in St. James and Westmoreland and two single fatal shooting incidents in Kingston. These four incidents resulted in the death of eight persons, three of whom were males under the age of 18 years old,” INDECOM said.
It said that the six incidents, on January 1 and 5, increased the year-to-date total fatal shootings for 2026 to 12 persons shot and killed by the security forces, with two of the incidents being classified as “planned operations.”
INDECOM said that those killed ranged from four years to 29 years, with Deputy Commissioner of INDECOM, Yanique Taylor-Wellington, expressing concern regarding the 65 per cent increase in overall fatal shootings in 2025 compared to 2024, and the 300 per cent increase in deaths in the first five days of the year.
“INDECOM notes with concern the alarming increase in fatal police shootings recorded in Jamaica during 2025, and the troubling manner in which 2026 has commenced as it relates to deaths by state agents,” Taylor-Wellington said.
She noted that at the end of last year, 311 persons were shot and killed by the police, representing a 65 per cent increase over the previous year, and “that equates to an additional 122 citizens losing their lives by members of the security forces.
“Already for 2026, 12 people have been shot and killed over two days. INDECOM continues its statutory duty to independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents in which a member of the security forces shoots a person.
“All citizens can be assured that INDECOM’s investigations into the recent fatal shootings will be pursued thoroughly, objectively, and neutrally. If any breaches of the law are identified, INDECOM will take all appropriate steps in accordance with its mandate,” Taylor-Wellington added.
INDECOM said that cumulatively, eight firearms were reportedly recovered by the police in the six incidents.
“Additionally, no body-worn cameras were reported as being activated by any of the police officers in any of the fatal shooting incidents investigated by INDECOM. Of note, one police officer reported that he had a body-worn camera, but it was not activated as he did not have a clip to wear it.”
INDECOM said that all incident scenes were examined and that the evidential material was recovered, processed, and packaged. The hands of the deceased were swabbed for gunshot residue, and their bodies photographed and sealed, pending post-mortem examination.
It said that the officers involved in the fatal shootings were in keeping with the law, asked to submit statements and or attend interviews.
“INDECOM continues to encourage citizen participation in the investigative process by providing any known information. Witnesses are asked to provide photos, videos, or information available in relation to these and other fatal shooting incidents.”
and then  on Tuesday said that it is investigating at least 12 police related killings since){kind=link}