JCF STATEMENT ON RECENT COMMENTS BY INDECOM ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has noted with concern the recent public comments made by Assistant Commissioner of INDECOM, Hamish Campbell, suggesting that it is a “perfectly legitimate approach” for the Commissioner of Police and senior leadership of the JCF to speak publicly on fatal shootings under investigation in order to reassure communities.
This position is, at best, disingenuous given the repeated public and private concerns raised by INDECOM in the past whenever the JCF has issued statements or offered commentary on such matters. Indeed, INDECOM has previously published guidance which states: “INDECOM is always careful and sensitive when issuing commentary on any INDECOM investigation, as premature dissemination of information can have an adverse impact. The Commission urges law enforcement bodies to be mindful of this reality or contact INDECOM prior to the issuance of statements on INDECOM investigations.”
It is therefore surprising to hear this apparent about-turn.
The JCF, like the wider public, is a client of INDECOM. We rely on the Commission to carry out independent and impartial investigations that establish facts definitively. In recognition of this, the JCF has taken what we believe to be a principled position; that public pronouncements on matters under active investigation may influence, or be perceived to influence, the collection of statements and evidence. Our overriding concern is to preserve the integrity of investigations, protect the credibility of outcomes, and maintain public confidence in both our institutions.
The JCF continues to support and cooperate fully with this INDECOM investigation, as it has done with every investigation before it. Our support for the work of INDECOM in holding police officers accountable is beyond question.
We recognise the Commission’s role as a critical pillar of transparency and oversight, and we respect its independence in carrying out that mandate.
It is also important to note that the overwhelming majority of INDECOM probes have resulted in the exoneration of the members under investigation, underscoring both the professionalism of our officers and the importance of the investigative process in affirming public trust.
On Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs)
The High Command of the JCF has, on repeated occasions, stated, re-stated, and clarified its position on the procurement and deployment of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs). There should be no question in anyone’s mind about whether the JCF is in support of their use. The Government of Jamaica has invested billions of tax dollars to create the ecosystem necessary to make their deployment widespread, and the JCF has embraced their role in accountability and modern policing.
The High Command can now report that the recent process of procuring 1,000 new BWCs is now complete and the contracts are with the provider ahead of delivery in the coming weeks. This is the largest single procurement of BWCs in the JCF’s history.
It is important to note that the JCF is incapable of manipulating the procurement process or spending beyond the resources allocated to us in the annual national budget. We have no independent authority to purchase outside of that framework. Furthermore, we maintain that operational decisions regarding the deployment and utilisation of BWCs remain squarely within the purview of the JCF as the law enforcement body, and not INDECOM.
On Fatal Police Encounters
The JCF views every single police encounter that results in a fatality as deeply unfortunate. In the case of the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jamar Farquharson in Cherry Tree Lane, Clarendon, on September 15, the situation is most regrettable. However, the facts of what took place on that day are to be conclusively determined by an independent investigation. The JCF extends our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Farquharson.