ACCOUNTABILITY for security forces is non-negotiable. Both internal and external oversight are critical for ensuring transparency, maintaining public trust, and preventing misuse of authority. In any vibrant democracy, human rights organisations, the media, and other watchdog bodies play an essential role in holding public institutions accountable. To this end, police officers should routinely use body-worn cameras while on duty to provide transparency and clarity in their interactions with the public. Starting with these principles clears any doubt about my commitment to accountability and transparency.

Yet, recent critiques by Jamaicans For Justice and the Independent Commission of Investigations have sparked concerns about the context and balance in reporting incidents involving the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The JCF is indeed facing a high count of fatal shootings, with 155 recorded since the start of 2024 up to Sunday, November 10 — a figure approaching levels not seen in nearly a decade. While this statistic is alarming, it should be examined within a comprehensive framework to avoid undue sensationalism and to foster a balanced public understanding.

The incomplete picture presented by some critics omits several crucial factors. Independent investigations have resulted in cases where members of the security forces have been charged and convicted. However, how often are these cases publicised. How about the number of times investigations yield no charges? What percentage of encounters result in injuries, arrests, or non-fatal confrontations? By sharing a limited set of numbers, critics may risk distorting the public’s view, potentially undermining trust in law enforcement without providing the full picture.

A Call for Comprehensive Data and Context

To evaluate police-related fatalities responsibly, watchdog groups must contextualise their arguments and the public discourse within the larger reality of Jamaica’s high violent crime rate. Discussions of police-related fatalities should also include statistics on officer injuries or fatalities that occur on or off duty and the daily confrontations they face in violent or high-risk encounters. It must be painted on a canvas which captures the images of the faces of the families of over 950 people murdered by criminals since the start of 2024. Without this broader context, individual statistics fail to provide a complete or fair depiction of the environment in which police and the security forces in general operate.

Jamaica’s current murder rate stands as a sobering metric, highlighting the severe threat to public safety and the challenging, often dangerous conditions security forces face. Critics should consider these factors when discussing the actions of law enforcement, taking care not to erode the public’s trust or the morale of the officers risking their lives for the safety of the defenceless within the Jamaican society.

A Call for Responsible Discourse

Public statements by prominent organisations and individuals carry substantial weight, particularly when discussing matters as sensitive as law enforcement and human rights. The impact of these statements on law, order, and public trust should not be underestimated. In making these critiques, we must all aim for balance, mindful of the potential for eroding confidence in essential institutions including that of the very oversight bodies and, ultimately, the rule of law.

While it is right and necessary to hold members of the security forces accountable, it is equally important for critics to provide the full scope of information. Only through transparent and balanced reporting can we hope to foster informed public discourse that upholds both accountability and support for those committed to protecting our communities.

Superintendent Damion Manderson is the Commanding Officer of the St Andrew South Police Division