Police say body cams to be delivered soon, sends condolences to Cherry Tree Lane family
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says the recent process of procuring 1,000 new Body Worn Cameras (BWC) is now complete, and delivery is expected in the coming weeks, in what it describes as its largest single procurement of the tech.
“There should be no question in anyone’s mind about whether the JCF is in support of their use. The Government of Jamaica has invested billions of tax dollars to create the ecosystem necessary to make their deployment widespread, and the JCF has embraced their role in accountability and modern policing,” the police said in a statement Thursday.
The revelation comes as public pressure mounts for the police to comment on the killing of a 22-year old man from Cherry Tree Lane following the circulation of a video allegedly showing their interaction with the young man.
The police maintained that operational decisions regarding the deployment and utilisation of BWCs “remain squarely within the purview of the JCF as the law enforcement body, and not Indecom.”
The comments follow the death of Jamar Farquharson, who was shot dead during a police operation, where lawmen say the young man pulled a firearm on them during their execution of a search warrant at the home.
Video footage shared by the family of the deceased resulted in calls from advocacy groups and the Independent Commission of Investigations for the use of body-worn cameras in planned police operations.
READ: Family to lead protest after police killing in Cherry Tree Lane
Commenting on the September 15 killing, th police said,
“The JCF views every single police encounter that results in a fatality as deeply unfortunate. In the case of the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jamar Farquharson in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, on September 15, the situation is most regrettable. However, the facts of what took place on that day are to be conclusively determined by an independent investigation. The JCF extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Farquharson.”
The JCF also said it had noted with concern the recent public comments made by Assistant Commissioner of Indecom, Hamish Campbell, suggesting that it is a “perfectly legitimate approach” for the commissioner of police and senior leadership of the JCF to speak publicly on fatal shootings under investigation in order to reassure communities.
The lawmen described comments by Campbell as an about-turn from what was said in the past.
“Indeed, Indecom has previously published guidance which states: ‘Indecom is always careful and sensitive when issuing commentary on any Indecom investigation, as premature dissemination of information can have an adverse impact. The commission urges law enforcement bodies to be mindful of this reality or contact Indecom prior to the issuance of statements on Indecom investigations,” the JCF said.
Citing the force’s overriding concern as preserving the integrity of investigations, protecting the credibility of outcomes, and maintaining public confidence in both institutions, the JCF said it continues to support and cooperate fully with this Indecom investigation, as it has done with every investigation before it.
