THE Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has appointed Yanique Taylor Wellington as deputy commissioner, following the recent resignation of Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell.

Campbell served in the post from 2013 to December 2025.

The Jamaica Observer learnt that although the titles are slightly different, Taylor Wellington has taken over all the duties and functions that were being carried out by Campbell, who was head of operations.

Taylor Wellington brings to her new role a wealth of experience, having served in various senior capacities at Indecom, among them director of complaints, a post she held since January 31, 2022.

Taylor Wellington, an attorney-at-law by profession, also did a stint as senior legal officer at Indecom and represented the entity during the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry in 2015.

She was also part of a team of lawyers that went to the Privy Council in the United Kingdom to argue on behalf of Indecom in the Dane Lewin vs Albert Diah case, where the Privy Council reversed a decision of the Jamaican Court of Appeal that had quashed a conviction, delivering its decision concerning the general work and authority of Indecom and effective police accountability.

Before she began working at Indecom, Taylor Wellington served as a senior prosecutor at the Integrity Commission.

Since taking up her new office, Taylor Wellington has expressed concern over a 65 per cent increase in overall fatal shootings by the security forces in 2025 when compared to 2024. She was very concerned about the 300 per cent increase in deaths during the first five days of the year.

“On January 5, 2025, three persons had been fatally shot [by the security forces] while as at January 5, 2026, 12 persons were fatally shot. Indecom notes with concern the alarming increase in fatal police shootings recorded in Jamaica during 2025, and the troubling manner in which 2026 has commenced as it relates to deaths by State agents. At the end of 2025, 311 persons were shot and killed by the police, representing a 65 per cent increase over the previous year,” she is quoted in a release from Indecom on Tuesday.

“Indecom continues its statutory duty to independently, impartially, and promptly investigate all incidents in which a person is shot by a member of the security forces. All citizens can be assured that Indecom’s investigations into the recent fatal shootings will be pursued thoroughly, objectively and neutrally. If any breaches of the law are identified, Indecom will take all appropriate steps in accordance with its mandate,” she said.

Eight firearms were reportedly recovered by the police in the six incidents. No body-worn cameras were reported as being activated by any of the cops in any of the fatal shooting incidents investigated by Indecom.

The deputy commissioner said that one member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force reported that he was in possession of a body-worn camera; however, it was not activated because he allegedly did not have a clip to wear it.

All concerned members of the constabulary were served with Section 21 Notices, pursuant to the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010, to submit statements and/or attend interviews.