Gov’t Providing Budgetary Support for Deployment of Body-Worn Cameras

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to provide the budgetary support for the acquisition and full deployment of body-worn cameras for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

He noted that about 1,000 devices have already been secured and others are in procurement.

“It is the intention of the Government to provide the security forces with all the equipment that they need to ensure that policing is transparent, and that there is a process of capturing data, capturing their interaction to make it evidentiary and to make it prosecutable, so that we can ensure that there is confidence and trust in the actions of the police,” he said.

Dr. Holness was addressing the JCF’s passing out parade of batches 161 and 162 at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, on Wednesday (January 21).

The Prime Minister said that technology is no longer an optional tool in policing, noting that it is “fundamental to crime fighting, intelligence gathering, and community engagement”.

“We are investing in equipment to assist the police in digital case management. We are using data to drive intelligence-based policing, and this will include the acquisition of several C5 (Command, Control, Communications, and Coordination) centres,” he pointed out.

These centres will serve as the central hub for managing surveillance, dispatch and national security data, integrating closed-circuit television (CCTV) through the JamaicaEye platform, and body-worn camera feeds to create a central intelligence system.

The Prime Minister noted that work is advanced in the establishment of one facility.

“Once that is installed you will see a greater reduction, but more than that, sustainable reduction in crime. So, I want it to be clear that, yes, we have invested heavily in training and doctrine, management and administration, but we are also investing heavily in technology to make sure that we have a 21st century policing force,” he said.

He reminded the newly minted constables that they have been equipped with the skills required to manage the complexities of 21st century law enforcement.

“You have been exposed to learning models that use digital tools, scenario-based simulations, online modules, and interactive teaching techniques.

“This supports the JCF’s strategic priority of improving efficiency through technology,” he said.