THE wearing of face masks by police while conducting routine law enforcement duties, including traffic stops and searches, remains an issue despite improved adherence to the proper dress code, according to the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom).

Indecom Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell, while lauding the police for improvements in their uniform visibility, told the Jamaica Observer that legislation is clear on whether masks should be worn by lawmen.

“Certain environments — [dust, fire, smoke, etc] — will cause and permit some officers to wear masks, and of course in COVID they all wore them, but it is by no means routine or normalised now. The old JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force]
Book of Rules for the Guidance & General Direction of the JCF, indicated ‘masks were not permitted’,” he said.

In April, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) indicated that it had received several reports of police and soldiers wearing balaclavas and face masks while on duty, and called on the JCF and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to make public any mask-wearing policies they have enforced.

When contacted by the Sunday Observer, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Stephanie Lindsay refused to detail the situations in which lawmen are allowed to wear masks.

“There are circumstances where police are allowed to wear masks; those are circumstances that are approved at a senior level, and that [can be] for different reasons,” SSP Lindsay, who is the head of the Constabulary Communications Network, said. “Masks are not part of the everyday general wear but there are circumstances where members of the force are allowed to wear masks, based on the sensitivity of the operation and the sensitive areas in which those individuals work.”

The SSP indicated that while the circumstances under which cops are allowed to wear masks vary, they must receive permission from their superiors to use the face covering.

LINDSAY…there are circumstances where police are allowed to wear masks

“There are some operational exercises [for which] and some units that people may be permitted to wear those masks, and in those instances there is supposed to be pre-approval,” she explained.

Indecom’s Campbell pointed out that the issue of cops wearing masks and balaclavas emerged long before the onset of COVID-19 that resulted in the promotion of mask-wearing as a means to slow the spread of the disease.

“The issue of the security force’s wearing masks/face coverings was addressed as far back as 2011 and 2012 by Indecom. At that time it was a significant issue and an aspect of security force policing which had become routine. The wearing of masks/face coverings was and is not permitted,” he stressed.

Acknowledging that the issue persists, Campbell said: “It does occur still, but it is not an issue which is commented upon, and really quite infrequently.”

CAMPBELL…the wearing of masks/face coverings was and is not permitted

Compared to 2012, Indecom said that currently, law enforcers are more correctly dressed. Their names, badges, and regulation numbers are far more visible on their new uniforms, and are also on their vests.

Despite this, the Sunday Observer recently observed police personnel in and around the Corporate Area wearing face coverings at what appeared to be traffic stops as well as at the scene of accidents. In one instance, a policeman’s face was almost completely covered by a balaclava as he directed traffic.

In addressing whether the wearing of masks while conducting traffic stops was within protocol, Lindsay said: “The police officers who work in the traffic department usually have their faces open so you wouldn’t, on a day-to-day basis, see traffic officers wearing masks.”

Meanwhile, Campbell said he could not recall any reports made to Indecom about traffic stops specifically, but noted the commission is aware of mobile videos that show officers in masks conducting searches.

This, Campbell said, goes against principle.

“The JCF is supposed to be an open and transparent public service and provide accountability to citizens. Thus, the wearing of face coverings, which obscure identity, cause alarm and fear, is not conducive to a citizen-based police force. Face masks are not part of the official JCF uniform, as far as Indecom is aware,” Campbell said.

Members of the police force exit Luke Lane in Kingston, some wearing masks, after a recent operation.