KINGSTON, Jamaica — Following a “warm and cordial” meeting with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), advocacy group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is lauding the police for the purchase of, and intent to purchase several thousands more body- worn cameras (BWC) for officers, but says work remains to be done.

“We were informed that the JCF’s data storage infrastructure, previously identified as a need, has been completed. We welcome this update and critical step, which ensures the system’s capacity and security to support expanded BWC use. We were also advised that the 750 BWCs are currently in use, with 674 deployed daily for beat patrol officers and those within the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), and the remainder used for training,” said JFJ after the May 2 meeting with the police commissioner and JCF high command.

JFJ has continuously spoken out about the rise in police killings and the lack of body- worn cameras being deployed on planned operations, resulting in a back-and-forth with the police which culminated in a protest by JFJ and counter protest by citizens in favour of the police on April 29.

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In the meeting following the protests, JFJ says police have indicated that 1,000 new cameras are nearing procurement completion, with plans to acquire another 3,000 over the next three fiscal years.

“JFJ commends this financial commitment but urges the JCF to provide a clear timeline for the delivery of the 1,000 cameras given its near completion status,” the group said in a statement on Thursday, adding “while we welcome the update by the police commissioner, and the subsequent assurances by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the proof of commitment lies in results.”

The group also acknowledged that there are drawbacks to the current BWC’s that prevent them from being used in certain targeted operations but called on the police to purchase specialised cameras that are rugged enough to handle them.

“We acknowledge concerns that current BWCs may be unsuitable for some planned operations due to design or functionality. Specialised BWCs would address these challenges, ensuring officer safety and public accountability. Noting that some planned operations occur in daylight or early mornings and are less rigorous, footage of pre- and post-event activities using the BWCs being procured can still enhance accountability. For operations requiring specialised BWCs, a clear commitment to their procurement is essential,” the group said.

The JFJ says it will continue to advocate for:

• Increased deployment in communities with historically low trust levels in police and those under zones of special operations (ZOSO), as mandated by ZOSO legislation.

• Use of BWCs in planned and tactical operations, noting that planned operations accounted for 40 per cent of fatal shootings in 2024 and

• Procurement of specialised BWCs designed for tactical operations requiring a discrete approach and more rugged use.

JFJ also maintained it was still deeply concerned about rising police fatal shootings, citing 115 fatalities by security forces from January to May 2025, compared to 47 in the same period of 2024—a 145 per cent increase (based on preliminary INDECOM data).

“Frequently conflicting accounts in these incidents underscore the need for BWCs to protect both the public and police,” it said, and invited citizens, civil society, and media to join it in monitoring BWC implementation.