Body Cameras are back in focus after police fatally shot Buju

Body Cameras are back in focus after the police fatally shot Buju. Still, even if the officer involved in Buju’s fatal shooting had been wearing a body camera, the situation would have likely remained unchanged. Buju was the antagonist; she attempted to harm the officer.

Unfortunately, many Jamaicans do not see it this way.

Their ongoing animosity towards the police has clouded their judgment. As a result, they are unable to objectively assess situations involving law enforcement. For these individuals, the police are always in the wrong. This is the case even as officers risk their lives daily to protect Jamaica from dangerous criminals.

The police officer was not wearing a body camera, but the CCTV footage cleared him of wrongdoing

No reasonable, fair-minded, and unbiased person who viewed the CCTV footage of the incident would place blame on the officer.

It is tragic that a human being lost their life during what was essentially a minor encounter with the police. However, the officer had no choice but to discharge his weapon in self-defense.

Many Jamaicans have expressed their concerns regarding the manner in which the officers handled Buju’s body after the shooting. They argue that the police should have treated the deceased with more care and respect.

However, as a former police officer, I can assure you that the primary concern for the cops at that moment was to exit the community as quickly as possible. And given Buju’s notorious reputation in the area, the officers were aware that an angry mob could easily gather. And they were correct in their assessment.

During my training to become a police officer many years ago, I learned that the primary duties of the police can be summarized by three ‘Ps’. They are, prevention and detection of crime, protection of life and property, and preserving the peace. But, embedded in these duties is also the preservation of one’s own life.

Vigilance ranks high on the list of priorities for officers who confront danger on a daily basis. It was precisely due to his vigilance that the officer who shot Buju is alive and well today. Unfortunately, that aspect seems to be overlooked.

There is no doubt in my mind that Buju intended to harm the officer. After the officer informed her that he would be seizing the unlicensed vehicle she was driving, she and her passengers exited the vehicle.

However, moments later, she unexpectedly reentered the vehicle. With the driver’s door still open, she recklessly moved the vehicle forward. At the time, the officer stood in front of it with his gun drawn.