The Independent Commission of Investigation, INDECOM, is expressing fears that the country is on track to see the most people killed by the security forces in more than a decade.
The Commission shared the grim projection during its 2nd quarterly media briefing on Friday.
Shaloy Smikle reports.
According to INDECOM, 149 people have been killed in shootings involving the security forces so far this year.
Assistant Commissioner at INDECOM, Hamish Campbell, says this number could significantly increase by year’s end.
According to Mr. Campbell, there’s been an 80% increase in fatal shootings by security forces since 2019.
He notes that up to October 31 this year, there’s also been an increase of Jamaicans being killed or injured despite not being in possession of a weapon.
Mr. Campbell says within the first 10 months of 2024, 40% of individuals killed by security forces were targeted during planned police operations.
Meanwhile, Mr. Campbell is reiterating INDECOM’s call for body worn cameras to be effectively used during planned police operations.
He explained that body worn cameras are sometimes not activated during specialised operations by the police.
Hamish Campbell, Assistant Commissioner of INDECOM.
