One hundred Jamaicans have been fatally shot by members of the security forces between January and August, prompting the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to again call for the wearing of body cameras during planned operations.   

INDECOM has linked the deaths to the “noticeable increase” in planned police operations this year.

It said that up to the end of July, 34 persons were shot and killed during 29 planned police operations, which represents 38 per cent of the 90 persons shot and killed during that period.

According to INDECOM, no body-worn cameras were issued or deployed in any of these planned operations.

“For the entire year of 2023, there were 23 recorded planned police operations where fatalities occurred and 24 deaths arising from such operations,” the investigative body said.

“In light of this increase, INDECOM welcomes the police commissioner’s recent declaration of his commitment to ensuring that his officers will be outfitted with body-worn cameras. Body-worn cameras are an integral part of 21^st century policing that enhances transparency and accountability among the security forces and citizens in their interactions,” INDECOM noted.

INDECOM again recommends that the implementation of body-worn cameras should be introduced to the officers assigned to operational teams, during planned police operations.

INDECOM made the call as it disclosed that was investigating two separate fatal shooting incidents in Hanover and St Catherine, resulting in the death of two men.

These latest security force shootings have now reached the 100^th person shot and killed so far this year.

Of this total, 10 persons were fatally shot in August, which includes a triple fatal and a double fatal shooting incident, on the 4^th and 7^th respectively.

At the end of July 2024, 90 persons were fatally shot by members of the security forces, representing a 14 per cent increase over 2023. Last year saw 79 persons fatally shot over the January to July period. One hundred (100) shooting deaths were not recorded until mid-September last year.