INDECOM renews concern about lack of body cameras in police operations

 

 

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) says it is dissatisfied with the use of body-worn cameras by police during planned operations, as well as the procurement process for additional devices.

 

Speaking on TVJ's All Angles on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner Yanique Taylor Wellington said greater attention must be given to how the cameras already acquired are being used.

 

She also raised concerns about resource management, noting that a significant number of fatal police shootings occurred during planned operations where cameras were reportedly not activated.

 

"The discussion needs to move beyond just whether or not we are acquiring these body-worn cameras. Certainly, the resource issue was discussed at length, but now it has to be the deployment. And that is what we have been clamouring for. That is where we keep asking the question, are you deploying these? And they need to be deployed as to where we see the highest risk as it relates to the right to life incident, where we are having these planned operations," she asserted. 

 

"Last year, of those 311 persons who were killed, 48 per cent were in planned operations. And yet we are seeing no instances where body-worn cameras are being deployed in these planned operations. This year, I believe there was one person who had one, and it was not activated," noted Mrs. Taylor Wellington.  

 

The government procured approximately 1,000 body-worn cameras last year.

 

Meanwhile, INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner disclosed that the agency issued 57 rulings for charges during the 2024 to 2025 reporting period, with a notably high number recorded in 2025. 

 

"There have been 30 cases of assault where the DPP has ruled for the officers to be charged; 14 cases of fatal shooting where the officers have been ruled to be charged; seven cases of shooting injury where the officers have been ruled for charge; two cases of discharge of firearm where there was a ruling; one case of a road collision and injuries to the citizen; and one case where the officer had failed to comply with the dictates of INDECOM, so a breach of the INDECOM Act..... So that totals 57. Of the 57, 33 rulings were in 2025," Mr. Faulkner pointed out. 

 

The comments come amid ongoing criticism following remarks by National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang directed at civil society groups that have been critical of police fatal shootings and the use of body-worn cameras.