By Prince Moore
The human rights lobby group, Stand up for Jamaica has added its voice to those calling for members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force to utilise body worn cameras during planned operations.
Carla Gullotta, Executive Director for the organization, has expressed alarm at the sharp rise in police-involved fatalities in Jamaica and at recurring reports that body-worn cameras are not featured during critical interventions.
The organization highlighted data from INDECOM which has reported that 230 people have been fatally shot by the security forces so far this year.
This up from 131 during the corresponding period last year, which represents an approximate 76% increase year over year.
The data further indicates that September alone has seen at least 20 fatal shootings, marking the tenth consecutive month in which 20 or more people have been killed in encounters with state agents.
These numbers are not mere statistics, Gullotta observed, saying they represent lives lost, families devastated, and deepening distrust in institutions meant to protect public safety.
Regarding the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jamar Farquharson in Clarendon on September 15, media reports and CCTV footage show him opening his door with hands up. Yet, he was subsequently killed.
Given these imperatives, Stand up for Jamaica has called for the mandatory activation of body-worn cameras during all police interventions, especially operations in which force may be used.
It adds that officers should not have discretion to disable or deactivate these cameras during interventions.
Stand Up for Jamaica has also joined Jamaicans for Justice in petitioning for legislation to mandate the JCF to use body-worn cameras, requiring their mandatory use and deployment during planned and tactical operations.
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