The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is today (May 21) offering what it deems crucial context behind a now-viral surveillance video of police personnel ‘breaking into’ a house earlier this month.

The clip, originating from a CCTV feed, triggered widespread condemnation and calls for the policeman’s immediate sacking from Jamaicans on social media who cited ‘grave overreach’ on the part of law enforcement.

In the viral video, a policeman is observed at what appears to be the back porch with emergency lights flickering in the background.

Bearing a timestamp of 1:14 am on May 15, the lawman proceeds to check the integrity of the door all while corresponding with a person on the phone. The policeman then turns away from the camera briefly, before being handed a knife from another uniformed colleague standing just behind the line of laundry hung to dry.

As both lawmen are now in the camera’s focus, the first policeman shortly gains access to the home and is seemingly in conversation with someone inside while he fidgets with the door and its frame.

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In a clarifying statement this afternoon, the JCF advised that its servicemen were responding to a distress call.

Though acknowledging the outcry, the police denied any impression of wrongdoing alluded to by Jamaicans on social media.

“The police were, in fact, acting on a request from a concerned parent who sought assistance to check on two young children left alone at home.
Upon arrival, the parent directed the officers on how to gain lawful access to the house to ensure the children’s safety and well-being. The officers carried out their duties with urgency and care in keeping with their mandate to protect life and property,” the JCF disclosed.

“The JCF acknowledges the positive response of the police. We remain committed to transparency and professionalism in all our engagements with the public,” the police statement continued.