Dear Editor,

Even as Jamaica records historic declines in major crime, public concern about police-involved fatalities continues to rise. In this environment, body-worn cameras (BWC) are not a luxury or a pilot project, they are a national necessity.

For years, Jamaicans have called for greater transparency in police operations. Officers, too, have asked for protection from false accusations and a tool that captures the realities they face daily — armed confrontations, split-second decisions, and high-risk environments.

BWCs meet both needs; they protect citizens and the police.

The Government has already invested heavily in BWCs, deploying more than 1,000 devices and procuring additional units. This is a welcome step; however, the real issue is not whether Jamaica has cameras, it is where they are being used.

Too many devices remain concentrated in traffic enforcement, while the units most likely to encounter armed resistance often operate without them. If BWCs are to strengthen public trust, they must be placed where the stakes are highest.

Research shows that BWCs reduce complaints, improve behaviour on both sides of an encounter, and provide objective evidence. In a country where police-citizen relations are shaped by decades of mistrust, this technology can help rebuild confidence and demonstrate a commitment to fairness.

However, BWCs are not magic, they require strong policies, reliable storage systems, and clear rules on activation. Training, supervision, and consequences for non-compliance must support them. Furthermore, the public must understand how footage is managed, who can access it, and under what conditions.

Jamaica is building a modern security architecture: JamaicaEye, in-car video, digital evidence systems, and a more technologically capable police force. BWCs are a critical part of that transformation, strengthening investigations and protecting those who serve honourably.

The country has already decided that BWCs are important. The next step is ensuring they are effective. That means prioritising high-risk units and enforcing activation policies in the broader national surveillance ecosystem.

BWCs offer a tool that advances both goals of safety and justice. Jamaica cannot afford to delay their full and strategic deployment.

Dormah B Harrison

Retired assistant commissioner of police

Adjunct lecturer — Mona School of Business and Management

dormahh@hmail.com