Body-worn cameras needed, says councillor after another fatal police shooting

     

Councillor for the Old Harbour South Division, Dr. Kurt Waul, is calling for a thorough investigation into the latest fatal police shooting in Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine.

 

Friday's incident, which occurred in the community of Settlement, is the third such since the start of the month.

 

The deceased has been identified as Jamar Fothergill, also known as 'Zagga'.

 

A resident told Radio Jamaica News that she heard a commotion followed by gunshots about 4 o'clock.

 

The residents say Mr. Fothergill had been detained on several occasions by the police and was accused of committing a murder on Tuesday.

 

The police have been accused of removing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras from the premises in Friday morning's shooting. The residents also complained that the police were not wearing body cameras. 

 

Councillor Waul has joined residents in appealing for the police to be fitted with the cameras.

 

"We need these police officers to wear body cameras. I'm making the appeal again. That is the only way. That is the only way you can settle the mind of the citizens that something else other than what they think did not occur," he said, arguing that if the national security budget has been tripled in the last few years, then the police body-worn cameras should be made a priority. 

 

The councillor said the latest shooting will make the job of the police in Old Harbour Bay much harder as it closely follows another fatal shooting on Terminal Road, two weeks ago.

 

Five homicides have been committed in Old Harbour Bay since the start of the year.