89% deployment
St James police report increased use of body-worn cameras during operations
THE St James Police Division has announced the expanded deployment and increased use of body-worn cameras across patrols and operations, citing measurable benefits for operational integrity, evidence collection, and community confidence.
Speaking during a visit of the police commissioner to Area One Wednesday, Commanding Officer for the division, Senior Superintendent of Police Eron Samuels, highlighted the practical impact of body-worn cameras during recent major operations, and reinforced the division’s commitment to full implementation.
“Since June, the use of body-worn cameras in St James has reached 89 per cent during deployed operations. The division is actively working to achieve 100 per cent usage through training, oversight and policy enforcement,” said Samuels.
He disclosed that body-worn cameras were used during a recent major operation that resulted in a cash seizure of $41.5 million. Camera footage documented procedures from initial contact through to handover in Kingston, providing a clear, uncontestable record of events.
St James cops have seized 32 firearms so far this year, charged more than 1,762 people, and carried out numerous arrests and seizures as part of intelligence-led operations supported by body-worn camera evidence, the police said.
Samuels stressed that the St James Division adheres to the Jamaica Constabulary’s policy governing body-worn camera use. The policy outlines mandatory notification to individuals during deployments, and clear protocols for footage handling to preserve chain of custody and officer accountability.
“One of the main things that I’m happy about with this seizure, is with the deployment of our body cameras…no one can contest the integrity of the officers who were in that operation because the body cameras were used right here,” he said.
”The individual in question, he was informed from the get-go that the body cameras were on, and that he should also pay attention. So we have proof to see that nothing was tampered with, and everything was accounted for.”
Samuels said body-worn cameras are proving to be an indispensable tool in modern policing, enhancing transparency, protecting officers and the public, and strengthening investigations.
“We will continue to expand body-worn camera coverage and push toward 100 per cent usage so that every operational contact is recorded in accordance with policy and best practice,” Samuels said.
