JFJ Executive Director Mickel Jackson - file photo
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Mickel Jackson, Executive Director of Jamaicans for Justice
Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) says it will not engage in a war of words with Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake over the high rate of police fatal shootings after he claimed that the human rights lobby group's concern is misdirected.
JFJ's Executive Director Mickel Jackson last week expressed outrage after 50 people were killed in 50 days during alleged confrontations with the security forces.
The group said this represents a dramatic increase of 163 per cent over the corresponding period last year.
But Dr. Blake said JFJ's call should be aimed at those who make the decision to challenge a far more superior force.
Ms. Jackson said while members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force have a right to defend themselves whenever challenged by criminals, police accountability is also important.
She added that JFJ's call for accountability should not be seen as anti-police.
"Firstly, our call is not only around the numbers, it is around the need for body-worn cameras," said Ms. Jackson, who stressed that every press release from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) since the start of the year, has indicated that no body-worn cameras were issued or worn in any of the police fatal shootings.
"So we are saying that police accountability also demands that there is an independent account of what would have taken place," she asserted.
Ms. Jackson, who was speaking Monday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106FM, said people accused of a crime must have their day in court as part of due process and upholding the rule of law.
This is the second time in recent weeks that JFJ and its executive director have come in for criticism from the Jamaica Constabulary Force over statements in the media.
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