Body-Worn Cameras: Security Minister Spar With INDECOM

Body-Worn Cameras: Security Minister Spar With INDECOM. Body-worn cameras have ignited a feud between the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM), and National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang.

In a press conference on Friday, November 1, INDECOM’s Assistant Commissioner Hamish Campbell raised concerns over the number of people being shot and killed by the security forces in instances where body-worn cameras are not activated or not worn.

He stated that 149 people were shot and killed by the security forces this year. And another 66 were shot and injured. Plus, there were 252 fatal and non-fatal shooting incidents in 2023. Still, not a single one involved the deployment of a working body-worn camera.

Security Minister and INDECOM disagree over the importance of Body-Worn Cameras

National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang did not agree with INDECOM’s statement. He had his view on body-worn cameras. So he issued a clap-back.

“If you get in combat with a camera on your chest, you’re first going to dive because you are being shot at. And the JDF has used them before… [and] they fell off, they got knocked off are they are of very little value in those situations,” Dr. Chang argued.

Jamaica’s National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang

Regardless, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is adamant that the police should use body cameras.

INDECOM Commissioner Hugh Faulkner said using body-worn cameras is necessary to give a clear version of events involving police and civilians.  

Nonetheless, Dr. Chang aggressively maintains that body cameras have little value in homicide incidents. He said the primary advantage of body-worn cameras is the maintenance of public order.

Faulkner and Chang disagree

“Occasionally, you would see contradictions between the public and law enforcement bodies. We believe this leads to the erosion of trust. Having an impartial and independent account taken by technology can reduce the contradiction and conflict. There are incidents where the body camera would prevent you from having a one-sided account, which in some cases would be the law enforcement body. There are instances when your potential witness is deceased,” Faulkner argued. 

INDECOM’s Commission Hugh Faulkner

But the Jamaica Police Federation seems to agree with Minister Chang. Its Chairman Sergeant Arlene McBean recommending that personnel from INDECOM join the police on special operations.

“You will not know until you detail one of your agents to join us in the operational field to observe the critical thinking of the police officer under gunfire. So, while we have a policy within the JCF that guides the policemen and women daily to guide us on how to operate and how to ensure that we give coverage of our interaction with the citizens, it is important to understand the uniqueness of each case,” she suggested. 

Sergeant Arlene McBean Chairperson of Jamaica Police Federation