According to The Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM’s) 2nd Quarterly Report for 2023, which presents the data for the months of April to June 2023, over 100 people in Jamaica were fatally shot or injured in the first half of the year.
Specifically, during the second quarter of 2023, fifty-three (53) citizens were either shot and killed or shot and injured; of which thirty-six (36) were killed and seventeen (17) were injured.
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The report reads – Of continued concern, is the lack of inadequate distribution of body worn cameras, for both planned and unplanned operations, where death or injury occurs. The Commission continues to monitor and ascertain from concerned officers, whether they were issued with a body worn camera. No body worn cameras were reported as used, in fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents, during the second quarter of 2023.
The report comes after the government announced in April that it had distributed 400 body cameras to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Hugh Faulkner, INDECOM’s Commissioner wrote:
Through this review of deaths in police custody, it reinforces the Commission’s position that greater
intervention is required with regard to the suitable location of ill persons currently in State custody. The
continued detention of persons with illnesses, in police lock ups, is not suitable.
He said another area which requires immediate attention is the inadequate resourcing of the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM). INDECOM is significantly hampered in concluding investigations due to the current delays in receiving scientific reports (especially ballistic reports). These inordinately long delays, from the Government Laboratory, directly affects the concerned officers when their matters with INDECOM remain pending. Additionally, advancement of an investigation to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and or to the Special Coroner (in cases of fatal shootings)
are hampered by the non-receipt of reports or certificates concerning ballistic exhibits.
The Commission continues to liaise with the IFSLM to consider solutions. It is projected that the Commission will have over one thousand (1000) scientific reports outstanding by the end of this year.
