Indecom refers funeral assistance for family of man killed by police
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) says it has reached out to the family of Matthew Small to assist with the referral process for a funeral grant.
This follows a Jamaica Observer article published on November 8, 2025, titled “Please, I need to bury my grandson!”
Small was one of two persons who died during a police fatal shooting incident in Ewarton, St Catherine, on December 13, 2024. According to Indecom, the planned police operation had no eyewitnesses, and no body-worn cameras were issued or used by the police team involved.
Since 2021, Indecom has been integrating investigations with social intervention referrals through its family liaison officers (FLOs). This initiative seeks to provide social and economic support to citizens beyond the agency’s formal investigations into complaints or allegations against law enforcement officials.
Indecom said it recognises that pairing investigations with practical assistance helps build trust in institutions and addresses humanitarian challenges faced by affected families.
Commissioner of Indecom, Hugh Faulkner, explained that “Beyond the need for independent and factual resolution of cases that we investigate, our complainants and their families may require additional support, which includes referrals for counselling and social services to improve livelihood and foster resilience after the death of the caregiver of the household. While the formal enquiry by the investigative teams is conducted, there is a parallel social-intervention mechanism which aims to give guidance on accessing support for affected individuals who may require emotional, financial or physical assistance.”
Most referrals made by Indecom are directed to the Victim Services Branch of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Children’s Advocate and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Since introducing the investigation-with-referral mechanism, Indecom’s FLOs have made over 160 referrals to victim services for counselling, 14 Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) referrals, 30 referrals for funeral grants, two each for education grants and compassionate housing, and one each to the Bureau of Gender Affairs and the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.
To date, Indecom has confirmed 11 successful referrals for funeral grants, four PATH referrals, and a donation of a wheelchair from Food for the Poor. The commission emphasised that while a referral does not guarantee grant assistance, it represents an important first step in improving citizens’ access to welfare support.
Currently, Indecom has two family liaison officers coordinating this initiative across its five regional teams.
