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By Kimone Witter
National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang says his strong defence against the use of body-worn cameras during police operations to apprehend criminals is linked to the suggestion that the officers will engage in extra-judicial killings without the devices.
Declaring that those days are of the past, Dr. Chang maintains that the cameras have little value in homicide incidents and their primary benefit is the maintenance of public order.
Since making the comment at Wednesday's post Cabinet media briefing, there has been some backlash from people on social media.
Expert on national security and economic development at the University of the West Indies, Professor Anthony Clayton, again urged the Jamaica Constabulary Force to make the use of body-worn cameras as part of its standard operating procedure.
Professor Clayton said the devices are particularly crucial in instances where the police are aware that they are going into a potentially volatile confrontation.
However, speaking Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106, Minister Chang maintained his position, adding that while body-worn cameras are a part of the tools used by the police, it is "not the number one priority".
Last Friday, the Independent Commission of Investigations repeated the call for the full implementation of body-worn cameras by the security forces, while presenting its second quarterly report for 2024.
INDECOM said police-related fatalities have reached alarming levels, noting that of the 252 shooting incidents this year, none of them involved an activated body-worn camera.
Dr. Chang is to meet with the leadership of the investigative body to have further discussions.
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