Last year Jamaica recorded the lowest number of fatal shootings by the security forces in 20 years.
That’s according to the latest statistics provided by the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM, this afternoon.
Commissioner of INDECOM, Terrence Williams, says while the figure should be lauded, Jamaica still ranks too high worldwide for fatal shootings by members of the security forces.
Stevian Simmonds tells us more.
You’ve heard the pleas over the years.
Hundreds protesting against what they see as unlawful shootings by police.
However, according to INDECOM Commissioner, Terrence Williams, things are moving in the right direction with only 86 people being killed by the security forces in 2019.
According to INDECOM Statistics, before 2019, the previously lowest recorded figure for police killings for a year was 2014.
In that year one-hundred and one people were fatally shot by the security forces.
In 2018 alone, the country recorded 137 such fatal shootings with 2010 having the worst tally on record – 277.
However, Commissioner Williams argues that it’s still not time for his team to rest on its laurels.
Despite the positive development, INDECOM is still pointing out what it sees as a worrying trend of plainly innocent persons being shot by police.
He says over the last 4 years, of the 322 people shot by police, 88 or 27 per cent of them fell in the category of plainly innocent.
He says this behavior is not emulated by the JDF, which suggests better firearms discipline and training is needed for the police.
Commissioner Williams, says, the police are failing to comply with requests for informal identification parades of their members.
Mr. Williams says since the unfavorable 2018 Supreme Court ruling stating INDECOM does not have the power to arrest, the police have provided no help.
The INDECOM Commissioner says the JCF’s lack of assistance undermines accountability.
Commissioner Williams, says, the police are failing to comply with requests for informal identification parades of their members.
Mr. Williams says since the unfavorable 2018 Supreme Court ruling stating INDECOM does not have the power to arrest, the police have provided no help.
The INDECOM Commissioner says the JCF’s lack of assistance undermines accountability.
Terrence Williams, Commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations.
