A disturbing trend is emerging in Jamaica, with the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) reporting a significant increase in fatal shootings by security forces so far this year.
So far this month, 12 people have been killed, surpassing the total number of fatalities recorded in January of 2023.
INDECOM has launched investigations into four recent fatal shooting incidents, which occurred between January 14 and 15. The incidents took place in Rollington Town, Kingston; Portmore, St Catherine; Mountain View, Kingston; and Hopewell, Hanover.
The deceased individuals have been identified as Akeem Chance, 23-year-old Alex Madden, 38-year-old Paul Cassanova, and 21-year-old Nyron Cameron.
Notably, all four incidents involved alleged recoveries of firearms, and were reported as planned targeted operations, including one joint police and military operation.
INDECOM has expressed concern about the rising number of fatalities in planned operations, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.
“All such operations involve organisation, preparation and scheduling. A loss of life by agents of the state requires objective records of the interactions. In the interest of accountability and transparency, it requires every effort to be made for security force personnel to be equipped with body-worn cameras,” the commission stated.
INDECOM has collected evidential material from the incident scenes, including gunshot residue swabs from the deceased individuals.
The concerned officers have provided initial accounts and have been served with Section 21 Notices, requiring them to submit statements and attend interviews. Planned operation interviews have also been scheduled with the operation team leaders.
