KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Andrew Holness says his administration will supply the necessary budget to ensure the procurement of body-worn cameras for all required formations within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

He made the commitment during his keynote address at the passing-out parade and award ceremony for batches 161 and 167 on Wednesday, held at the National Police College of Jamaica (NCPJ) in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

“They have already secured, by my last check, 1000 or so cameras, and others are in procurement. The Government will supply the necessary budget to ensure that all formations that require the use of body-worn cameras are so equipped,” Holness said.

The prime minister emphasised that the Government intends to provide the security forces with all the equipment needed to ensure transparent policing and that there is a process for capturing data.

“We have invested heavily in training and doctrine, management and administration, but we are also investing heavily in technology to make sure that we have a 21st-century policing force,” Holness stressed.

He noted that the leadership of the JCF has been proactive in securing the “best technological platform” to support the full deployment of body-worn cameras; however, he noted that, like all public bodies, the JCF is subject to the rules and regulations for procuring body-worn cameras.

Meanwhile, the prime minister charged the 287 newly minted constables to treat every Jamaican they encounter with dignity and respect for their rights.

“Every Jamaican, rich or poor, powerful or vulnerable, deserves to be treated with dignity, and as your prime minister, I demand that every one of you here who will wear the uniform and ascribe unto yourself the authority of the state as an officer of the law, that you must treat every Jamaican with dignity and respect for their rights,” he added.

Human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has been calling for the use of body-worn cameras by members of the security forces during operations amid an increase in fatal shootings by security forces.

(Video by: Llewellyn Wynter)