Concerns Rise as Jamaican Police Killed 96 People in 2025. The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) reported that since the beginning of 2025, security forces in Jamaica have shot and killed 96 people. This has prompted concerned Jamaicans and Civil Rights groups to question whether the police are involved in extrajudicial killings.
But the police have rejected the allegation of extrajudicial killings. They asserted that each individual they killed was a criminal who challenged the police to a duel.
Concerns rise as the latest shootings involving the police resulted in the death of two men. The fatal shootings occurred on April 15 and 16 in Cambridge, St Elizabeth, and Content Avenue off Waltham Park Road in St Andrew.
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, INDECOM identified the deceased as George Griffiths and Shaqcol Pounall.
Concerns rise as Jamaicans have started to question the frequency of police killings
According to INDECOM, the authorities have reported each of the recent fatal shootings as having occurred during operations by the Area Fugitive Apprehension Team (AFAT).
During the operations, an armed man allegedly confronted the police teams.
INDECOM said the police reportedly recovered one firearm at the scene of each shooting.
The commission reported that the incident scene in St. Elizabeth was examined, and the evidence collected, processed, and packaged.
Crime scene investigators have swabbed the hands of the deceased for gunshot residue. They have photographed the body. They have sealed the body, pending a post-mortem examination.
An INDECOM team carried out a similar processing procedure in the incident in St. Andrew.
The officers involved have provided INDECOM with preliminary accounts of the incident. And INDECOM has served each officer with a Section 21 Notice under the Independent Commission of Investigations Act, 2010. These notices require them to submit statements and attend interviews.
Concerns rise as INDECOM reported that 15 individuals have died from shooting incidents involving the security forces so far in the month of April.
Concerns rise. INDECOM urged witnesses to share any photos, videos, or information in connection with these fatal shooting incidents. Or any other shooting involving security forces and other similar occurrences.
Information can be submitted via INDECOM’s WhatsApp number at 876-553-0000. Individuals may also visit the commission’s office. Alternatively, they can call 876-968-1932 or 876-968-8875.