KINGSTON, Jamaica — Amid mounting public outrage over the controversial police killing of Latoya Bulgin on Sunday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has cautioned that heightened alertness among cops operating in violent communities must be carefully balanced with their core responsibility to “protect and preserve life”.

Speaking at the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Staff and Junior Command Course 91st Cohort Graduation Exercise on Friday, Holness addressed the incident directly, describing it as a matter rooted in “humanity, dignity and respect”.

“At the core of this is humanity and dignity. That’s what it comes down to, humanity, dignity and respect,” he said, acknowledging the pain and concern the incident has sparked across Jamaica.

“I extend my sincere condolences to her family, her friends, her community, and all who are grieving,” he added.

Bulgin was fatally shot by police in the Granville community square while she was behind the steering wheel of her Toyota Voxy motor car.

READ: Woman dies after alleged police shooting at protest in Granville

The member of the JCF involved in the incident has since been placed under interdiction by the Police High Command. Investigations are being carried out by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) and the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau (IPROB).

The prime minister commended the Police High Command for their swift address of the matter.

Holness used the occasion to remind graduating officers that the role of the state is not to take life, but to preserve and protect it.

“I am hopeful that it is the general understanding that the entire objective of the state is to preserve life. I want that to be the default position. We do not pay taxes to fund the police force for the police force to be the instrument that takes life or for any arm of the state for that matter. The objective is for the police force to preserve and protect life,” he said.

He stressed that officers must approach their duties with the mindset of protecting and serving citizens, while leaders within the force must identify and correct any culture that glorifies the taking of life.

“When you go out on your duties and your operations, the default position must be ‘we are going to protect and serve and preserve’. There are some who go out with the default position that they intend to take life, but you, as leaders, you must quickly identify those and correct that false notion that they have,” the prime minister told the graduating cohort.

On that note, he highlighted the importance of the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), describing it as a critical mechanism to ensure accountability in cases involving police killings.

Holness challenged members of the JCF to uphold values of professionalism, accountability and respect for human life as they rise through the ranks of the organisation.

“That is what it comes down to: what kind of organisation is the JCF and what is the core principle of the members of the JCF and what is the abiding principle of its leadership. So today I challenge you as you rise through the ranks to ensure that that core principle is always maintained, always advanced, always preserved, always respected: the JCF is about preserving, protecting and serving life,” he said.

At the same time, he acknowledged the increasingly dangerous realities facing modern policing in Jamaica. He pointed to armed criminal networks, volatile communities and the psychological pressures officers face while operating in high-risk environments.

“This is the Jamaica that the modern JCF has had to confront: communities where criminal networks are armed, places where witnesses fear retaliation, spaces where the physical layout of lanes, zinc fences, informal pathways and unplanned settlements can allow danger to emerge from any direction and any situation in which the police officer may have only seconds to interpret whether or not a movement is innocent, confused, resistant or deadly.

“We must be honest about what this does to the mind and body of the police officer. Police officers operating repeatedly in high risk environment can become hyper-vigilant. That officer learns to scan every moment, every hand, every caution, every window, every vehicle, every shadow and to perceive it as a threat. Hyper-vigilance can keep an officer alive but it needs to be properly managed by training, supervision, discipline and a command culture,” the prime minister explained.

He, however, stressed that the pressures of policing cannot excuse unlawful conduct or poor judgment.

“Understanding this reality is not the same as excusing error, indiscipline or unlawful conduct. It is precisely because the environment is difficult that training, judgement, supervision and accountability must be stronger. You who are graduating and in line for your promotions, this is what will be required of you,” Holness said.