Human rights lobby group, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), is reiterating its call for the provision of body-worn cameras to police officers following the death of 27-year-old Romario Sterling.

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were conducting an operation around 8:00 pm on March 14, in the community of Pineapple Lane in Bog Walk, when they were reportedly attacked by gunfire from Sterling upon entering the premises.

Reports are that Sterling was shot and killed during a shootout with the police.

Mikeal Jackson, executive director of JFJ, has raised concerns following a recent video of the incident circulating on social media.

“Having watched the video circulating in the media surrounding the death of Romario Sterling, there are some concerns that JFJ has raised. Now, to be very clear, we can’t speak to the veracity of the video because we are not sure if it has fulsomely captured the events that may have unfolded surrounding Mr Sterling’s death but the video has raised some concerns for us that we would like to highlight. Firstly, what we see in that video if it is in fact Mr Sterling is a man on his knees with his hands on his head and it suggests that this gentleman in the video is unharmed and is seemingly complying with the orders that have been provided by the law enforcement officers, so it does raise reasonable question, what could have happened that could have led to Mr Sterling’s death,” she said.

Additionally, the executive director noted that there is a discrepancy between the accounts of law enforcement officers and those of residents and the family of the deceased.

“The concerns relate specifically to the timing of the death, as well as the circumstances of the death. For us at JFJ, Mr Sterling’s case highlights the need for the full use of body-worn cameras by police officers. It cannot be that you have controversial deaths such as these and you cannot utilise footage based on a regularised device that has been provided by the state,” Jackson said.

She noted that body-worn cameras not only protect citizens but it also protects law enforcement officers.

JFJ is now renewing its call to the government and the opposition to publicly commit to ensuring that the lives of citizens are protected by the full provision of body cameras to all police officers as a crucial part of their uniforms.

The human rights group is also urging the newly installed commissioner of police, Dr Kevin Blake, to use body-worn cameras as part of his legacy for human rights policing as it is crucial in sending a signal that the JCF is adhering to the principles of transparency and accountability.