JFJ presses for mandatory use of body cameras in police operations

 

Human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is again pressing for the mandatory use of functioning body-worn cameras during planned police operations. 

 

The renewed call follows the fatal police shooting of 22-year-old Lamar Farquharson in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon on September 15. 

 

Executive Director of JFJ Mickel Jackson says there are questions about the circumstances under which Mr. Farquharson was killed. 

 

She says the police and Independent Commission of Investigations have several questions to answer. 

 

"Citizens must join the family in asking: what were the specific circumstances that led to the use of lethal force against Jamar, especially given his apparent surrender? If the media reports are true, that the surveillance cameras were in fact disconnected, why was this done and what steps were taken to preserve other evidence that could clarify the series of events?"

 

Ms. Jackson said the incident involving Mr. Farquharson was reminiscent of the 2024 shooting of Romario Sterling in Bog Walk, St. Catherine. "If you recall in that incident, there was a man who appeared to be kneeling down and then what sounded like a gun shot was heard and the imagery was captured on CCTV camera," she recounted.

 

Residents had staged three protests along the main road last week over the fatal shooting. 

 

The officers involved have since been removed from frontline duty. 

 

Meanwhile, Ms. Jackson has called for Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake to update the country concerning the acquisition and deployment of body-worn cameras.

 

"I think when we look at this particular incident, it is very clear that there need not be any specialised body-worn camera because the ordinary body-worn cameras that are currently in use would be just fine because it would give you an idea of what happened before, even if not during, but certainly after an incident, to aid with quicker conclusion of an investigation," she suggested.