Facing a wave of public backlash over the treatment of a woman shot by a cop and loaded into the back of a police pickup last Sunday, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has directed the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to urgently review and reform its procedures for dealing with injured and dead people at crime scenes, stressing that their first and foremost duty ought to be the preservation and protection of human life.

“It is a complex subject, because we don’t have emergency services that are available right away, but these are matters that need to be studied carefully. So I’m saying this now to the [police] high command, we will be discussing it at the National Security Council, that provisions have to be put in place and the necessary protocols have to be established about how you remove a deceased [person] from crime scenes or assist injured persons,” the prime minister declared in his address at the JCF’s graduation ceremony for the 91st Staff & Junior Command Courses on Friday at the National Police College of Jamaica in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

“We are trying to build an economy and a society, but more importantly we’re building a civilisation. How we treat our injured, most vulnerable, weakest amongst us, how we treat the remains of the deceased, tells us a lot about the kind of civilisation we are. And so, if the JCF is transforming, then that must be part of the transformation,” Holness said, adding that he intended to turn the matter into a Government-mandated policy.

His comments come amid mounting public criticism over the shooting death of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin in Granville, St James, by a member of the JCF on Sunday, May 17.

Reports suggested that Bulgin was transporting people to protest the shooting death of 17-year-old Tjey Edwards by police in the area some days earlier.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage of Bulgin’s shooting showed that the cop fired in her direction as she sat behind the steering wheel of a Toyota Voxy after it was stopped by police in the community square.

A police report of the incident said Bulgin threatened to run over the cop who shot her.

The CCTV footage showed that after Bulgin was shot she was removed from her vehicle legs first. She was then placed on the ground before another cop joined, helping to lift her by her arms and legs, after which she was thrown into the back of the police pickup. The cops then struggled to close the tailgate of the vehicle.

On Monday, angry residents used old appliances, trees, and other objects to block several intersections in the community, and lit fires in some of the areas.

Public outrage over the incident, described as deeply concerning and shocking, has intensified.

On Monday, the constabulary reported that the cop involved in the incident has been placed under interdiction by the police high command. Investigations are being carried out by the Independent Commission of Investigations and the Inspectorate and Professional Standards Oversight Bureau.

On Friday, Holness extended condolence to Bulgin’s family, friends, her community, and all who are grieving.

“I know that the incident has caused pain, anger, and deep concern across Jamaica,” he said and noted that, while it was being investigated, it was still unfortunate. He added that he was pleased by the swift response from the police high command to interdict the cop involved.

“At the core of this is humanity and dignity. That’s what it comes down to — humanity, dignity, and respect,” the prime minister said.

While acknowledging that the nature of policing required quick thinking, especially under high stress situations, Holness reminded the members of the JCF that they were mandated to preserve and protect lives, using their training and professionalism to properly carry out operations.

“Hyper-vigilance can keep an officer alive, but it needs to be properly managed by training, supervision, discipline, and a command culture. 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,” said Holness.

He noted that the JCF has been doing well in crime reduction, highlighting that, as at May 19, Jamaica recorded 204 murders this year, compared to 268 over the same period last year — a 24 per cent reduction.

But Holness pointed out that the reduced murder toll was also credited to the growing corporation between citizens and the police, and warned the JCF not to jeopardise trust gained from communities.

“As we become more effective in dispatching criminals, we must always remember that our actions require the support of the public. And we cannot descend to be viewed as all the criminals are viewed. It is the dignity and the integrity, the compassion that you exercise your duty that distinguishes you and gives value to the uniform that you wear,” he said.