KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—The human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has called on the Police Commissioner, Dr. Kevin Blake, and “the wider security apparatus” to collaborate with civil society groups to find solutions that balance public safety with justice and accountability.
The JFJ was responding to the recent statement by Blake on the rise in fatal shootings and the use of body-worn cameras.
Official figures show that there have been over 50 fatal shootings so far this year by the security forces, more than double for the comparative period last year, and National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang said with the increased deployment of police personnel to tackle criminals, once there is a confrontation, there will be more shootings.
“Fifty police shootings are not sending police out there chasing down any one man to shoot down somebody. It means the police are in a position to engage criminals, and if you have more engagement, you are going to have more shootings… If they surrender, they will take them to court,” Chang told the ceremony this week for opening a new police station in Lacovia, St Elizabeth, southwest of here, where Blake said the police would not be complacent in its efforts to protect communities from criminals.
In its statement, the JFJ said that it had taken note of the statements made by Blake, who it said had also challenged the human rights organization “for its expressed concerns related to the sharp increase in fatal police shootings.”
The JFJ said it has also noted the subsequent public discourse on the issues raised, adding, “We reiterate that we make no assertion that these incidents are extrajudicial.
“However, amid the increasing numbers, several discrepancies between eyewitness accounts and official reports are concerning. Body cameras will help to address some of these discrepancies.”
The JFJ said it “firmly believes that body cameras will significantly enhance transparency and accountability in our crime-fighting efforts.
“We strongly believe that body cameras not only serve to protect the rights of citizens but will also provide evidence to exonerate who might be involved in controversial shootings.”
The human rights group found Blake’s statement that investigations would not be hindered by a lack of body cameras “troubling,” adding that “body cameras are not a panacea, and their absence might not prevent investigations from taking place.”
“However, the failure to have video footage from these fatal shootings diminishes the capacity of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to ascertain the facts.
“INDECOM has also called for body-worn cameras, noting that video evidence assists in matters being resolved more quickly.”
JFJ said that it would not shy away from the “Commissioner’s charge that Jamaicans for Justice is seeking relevance.”
“Though the comment might have been intended otherwise, we take it as a badge of honor. We believe that issues of equity and transparency are as relevant today as they were in the past. If staying abreast of justice-related issues is deemed seeking relevance, we are as guilty as charged.”
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