Bethany Parchment | The fight against crime and the case for accountability

The Jamaica Constabulary Force has reported a 24 per cent reduction in the murder rate, a considerable achievement for a country plagued by murder and gang violence. As these achievements are assessed, they also raise an uncomfortable question – at what cost?

As of October 6, INDECOM had recorded 232 fatal shootings by members of the security forces, compared with 233 over the same period in 2025. This follows a sharp increase of 65 per cent in fatal shootings by security forces in 2025, totalling 311, compared to the 189 in 2024.

These figures do not, by themselves, establish whether the use of force was lawful or unlawful. But, when two irreconcilable accounts exist, how is the truth to be established? Police accounts frequently cite armed confrontations and weapons recovered at the scene, yet there remain cases in which civilian accounts sharply differ from the official version.

Complaints received by Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) often include that from families disputing the official account of fatal shootings. Witnesses have often alleged that spent shell casings were removed from scenes before INDECOM team’s arrival, property cameras were damaged or removed, and witnesses were intimidated from releasing footage.

Other accounts allege officers entering homes in the early hours, reportedly confiscating phones and either isolating the deceased before gunshots are heard or shots being fired in the presence of witnesses, some of whom are children. While these are allegations, they should not be quickly or summarily dismissed, as they highlight why independent evidence is critical when there are conflicting accounts of incidents of fatal shootings.

When the State entrusts an officer with the power to neutralise a threat, does it not also owe the public a means of independently accounting for that decision?

Even when questions are raised, another problem remains: how long must the people wait for answers? Jamaica’s justice system is burdened by lengthy delays, while INDECOM faces its own challenges in completing its investigations. For families waiting for answers, prolonged investigations and court processes can create the perception that accountability is unattainable. Over time, this can create a dangerous belief that justice and accountability are more an ideal than reality.

However, the crime situation in Jamaica cannot be ignored. People live with the fear and disruption caused by armed criminality, while livelihoods are affected and measures used to combat crime can further restrict daily life. There is therefore a legitimate demand for effective and decisive policing.

moderate to low trust

But criminal elements are not the only source of fear for some citizens, particularly those living in volatile communities. In their 2025 Citizen’s Rights, Roles, Responsibilities and Practices survey, JFJ identified that the relationship between security forces and citizens from vulnerable communities is fragmented, resulting in moderate to low trust in those institutions. For some Jamaicans, reports of civilians killed during confrontations with the police are viewed as a victory in the fight against crime. For others, particularly families and communities connected to those killed, the same incidents raise questions about whether the official account tells the complete story.

This divide is not theoretical. The account of a Westmoreland relative who had previously supported fatal police shootings but began questioning that position after a family member was killed illustrates how differently the issue can look when it reaches one’s own doorstep.

How can the police balance hard policing while maintaining human rights and public trust?

Notwithstanding the existing plans, policies and procurement processes for body-worn cameras, now more than ever is it the time for their implementation during planned operations. Body-worn cameras would not eliminate the need for INDECOM investigations or determine whether every shooting was justified. However, they would provide independent evidence of encounters between citizens and members of the security forces, assist INDECOM in establishing what occurred, and reduce reliance on conflicting accounts.

Ultimately, this becomes less about the body-worn cameras and more about state accountability.

A state that gives an officer the authority to take a life must also have mechanisms capable of independently accounting for the circumstances in which that power is exercised. Effective policing and human rights should not be treated as competing objectives. Public safety requires the state to confront crime, but strong institutions also require the exercise of police power to withstand independent scrutiny.

Jamaica cannot pursue peace at the expense of justice, nor justice at the expense of public safety. If the country is serious about achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, then strong institutions must be capable of confronting crime while remaining transparent, accountable and trusted by the people they serve.

Bethany Parchment is a youth advocate and the complaints and documentation coordinator at Jamaicans for Justice. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com