The wearing of body-worn cameras by the police during operations is a key issue that newly minted Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake is well equipped to advance, given his technological credentials, says Hugh Faulkner, commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM).
The new police commissioner, who takes command of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) today, has a master of science in computer-based management information systems and a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics, all obtained from The University of the West Indies, Mona.
Responding to questions from The Gleaner regarding issues that the police oversight body would discuss with the new police commissioner, Faulkner said he would not highlight any new concerns at this time but will place those issues on the table when he meets with the Blake and his team at the annual stakeholders’ consultation in the coming weeks.
However, he said the issue of an expanded deployment of body-worn cameras has been the subject of continued dialogue between INDECOM and the police force.
At its quarterly press briefings and in its reports tabled in Parliament, INDECOM has called for the funding, procurement and use of body-worn cameras by the JCF, especially in its operational duties.
According to Faulkner, recent data suggests that, of the 106 incidents involving the JCF, in which persons were injured or killed, only one incident reported the use of body-worn cameras.
In June 2023, INDECOM introduced a new state-of-the-art case management system that enables the commission to vastly expand the statistical data output that it provides for Parliament and the public.
“In other words, the analysis of citizen/law enforcement interactions will be up for greater scrutiny. The first limb of this statistical expansion was manifested in the ability of INDECOM to produce details on the use of body-worn cameras,” Faulkner said.
He added that the new commissioner is likely to direct attention to the timeliness of reports to INDECOM with regard to incidents in which citizens are injured or killed. Section 11(1)(a) of The Independent Commission of Investigations Act requires that such reports be made ‘forthwith’, that is, without delay.
He said INDECOM’s technological capabilities will now allow for such statistics to be produced concerning the timeliness of notification to INDECOM.
Meanwhile, Faulkner extended the commission’s goodwill to Blake as he assumes office today.
At the same time, Faulkner said INDECOM has placed on record its gratitude for the “mutually respectful collaboration between the JCF and the Independent Civilian Oversight Body during the tenure of the outgoing commissioner of police, Major General Antony Anderson”.