Over 160 people killed by police in Jamaica last year

In Jamaica, the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) reported 168 people were shot and killed by police last year with most of those killed having been unarmed.

Victims weren’t “the dangerous gunman”

INDECOM Assistant Commissioner, Hamish Campbell, speaking at the Commission’s fourth quarterly media briefing, said “the significant proportion of people killed, neither had a weapon of any sort, or if they did have a weapon, it wasn’t a firearm. Eighty-one of those killed did not have any weapon at all and as such, could not be classified as ‘the dangerous gunman.’”

No disciplinary proceedings taken against cops

Meanwhile, INDECOM has reiterated its concern that neither the Police Service Commission (PSC) nor the Commissioner of Police has initiated disciplinary proceedings against 20 senior cops cited for wrongdoing.

INDECOM Commissioner Terrence Williams said despite submissions made, dating back to 2013, action is yet to be taken.

In a report to Parliament, INDECOM said it had written to the PSC in June last year inquiring why it has not acted on the investigations on the matter in the past two and a half years. It said the PSC had responded by indicating that it does not conduct investigations and that it takes into consideration reports from the Commissioner of Police.

INDECOM wrote the PSC again last October and was told that the matter had been sent to the Attorney General for an opinion. The police oversight body said it wrote the PSC in January again seeking answers and despite the absence of a comprehensive response, it may be viewed that the PSC considers itself unable to initiate disciplinary proceedings unless, and until, the Commissioner of Police submits a report.