KINGSTON, Jamaica—Human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is renewing its call for the use of body-worn cameras by members of the security forces during operations amid an increase in fatal shootings by security forces.

JFJ in a statement on Friday said the absence of body-worn cameras during security force operations is a critical issue that continues to undermine transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement.

“JFJ acknowledges that security officers have the right to defend themselves with reasonable and proportionate force based on the nature of an attack. However, the lack of body-worn cameras and the rising number of fatal shootings create an environment of suspicion that may erode public confidence in law enforcement. Body cameras provide an unbiased record of events, protecting both officers and civilians and ensuring that the truth is preserved for investigations and judicial processes,” said JFJ.

Statistics from the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) revealed that 28 people have been fatally shot by the security forces so far this year, when compared to 13 for the entire month of January last year.

According to JFJ, this escalation follows a troubling pattern from 2023, when 155 fatal shooting incidents were recorded—none of which involved the use of operational body-worn cameras. It said the situation has worsened in 2024, with 189 fatalities reported, a 34 per cent increase over the previous year.

The group added that 2024 represents the highest number of fatal shootings in over a decade since 2013 when 258 fatalities were recorded by security forces.

“Of particular concern is that according to INDECOM, fatal shootings during planned operations accounted for 40 per cent of the fatalities by the security forces in 2024. Planned operations, by their very nature, suggest a level of intelligence-driven preparedness and control that should result in more arrests and fewer fatalities. Shockingly, INDECOM confirmed that most of these operations did not involve the use of body-worn cameras. The absence of body-worn cameras in such operations not only deprives investigators of crucial evidence but also raises serious questions about the conduct of these operations and the circumstances under which lives are being lost,” JFJ said.

JFJ is calling for the immediate implementation of body-worn cameras across all security force planned operations and in communities where zones of special operations or a State of Public Emergency have been declared.

“JFJ also calls on lawmakers to legislate key aspects of the protocol governing the body-worn cameras, including mandating the wearing and activation of the cameras, where failure to wear or activate without reasonable explanation may result in strong disciplinary actions. These measures are not just mere recommendations—they are a necessity for a society that values justice, transparency, and the rule of law,” it concluded.