KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is expressing concern over reports that police and soldiers have been observed wearing face masks and balaclavas while conducting public duties.

“Citizens deserve a reliable mechanism to identify lawmen—whether masked or wearing balaclavas—accused of unlawful acts. Further, without visible identifiers, the distinction between lawful authority and criminality becomes dangerously unclear, eroding trust and safety,” JFJ said in a statement on Wednesday.

The group is now calling on the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) leadership to publicly disclose any protocols concerning the wearing of masks and balaclavas during general public duties, or planned or tactical operations.

JFJ said it was particularly concerned about what it described as the frequent absence of discernible badges, numbers or other identifiers on police and soldiers wearing masks and balaclavas. It pointed to Trinidad, where since 2022, police have banned balaclavas with tactical gear to curb impersonation.

“A measure Jamaica could consider adopting,” JFJ said, highlighting the persistent difficulty in identifying masked or balaclava-clad officers in controversial incidents such as the Keith Clarke case.

READ: Soldiers charged with Keith Clarke murder freed

The group added that though there might be necessary reasons for the coverings, it is critical that citizens have a reliable means to identify lawmen so they can report misconduct to the JCF, JDF, the Independent Commission of Investigation (Indecom), and other relevant oversight bodies.