INDECOM flags ‘urgent need for transparency’ in police operations after 11 killed over four days

The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has raised “grave and escalating concern” over Easter weekend fatal shootings, citing 11 deaths over the period. It also renewed concerns about the absence of body-worn cameras during planned police operations.

"These incidents continue to reflect an alarming trajectory in the use of lethal force and underscore the urgent need for transparency and accountability in policing operations," said Deputy Commissioner Yanique Taylor-Wellington in a statement on Tuesday.

The concerns come amid a data from the JCF indicating that murders were down 29.9 per cent for 2026, with 138 killings recorded up to April 4, compared with 197 for the similar period in 2025.

The latest security-force related fatal shootings took place between April 3 and April 6, and included three triple fatal shootings and two single fatal shootings. One of the victims was a 17-year-old. Three of the deceased remain unidentified.

INDECOM said its teams were deployed to investigate all five incidents, which occurred in Westmoreland, St Catherine, Kingston, and Spanish Town. The commission noted that the 11 killings bring the total number of fatal shootings for April to 13, and 89 so far this year, compared with 87 for the same period in 2025.

Deputy Commissioner Taylor-Wellington has also raised concerns about the use of body-worn cameras by members of the security forces.

"While INDECOM’s investigations remain ongoing, I again stress the critical importance of the consistent and mandatory use of body-worn cameras, particularly during planned operations, potential high-risk engagements and patrols in vulnerable and volatile communities, as an essential safeguard in modern policing," she noted.

Taylor-Ellington added: "such measures not only facilitate objective and independent review, but also serve to protect both members of the public and law enforcement officers alike. Modern policing must not depend on citizen recordings or private CCTV footage as the primary method of reconstructing critical incidents, like those involving the loss of lives. The responsibility for accurate, contemporaneous documentation must rest with the State”.

In January, Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake said the Jamaica Constabulary Force had already deployed body-worn cameras and is moving to expand its stock, pushing back against claims that the force is still awaiting the necessary infrastructure.

Blake said he had previously disclosed in September that the JCF was “at the advanced stage of procuring 1,000 cameras,” which arrived about two weeks later and have since been deployed.

He added that the force is now in the process of procuring an additional 1,000 cameras.

Cumulatively, eight firearms were reportedly recovered from the five scenes.

INDECOM said all scenes were processed and evidence collected, including gunshot residue swabs and photographic documentation of the deceased. Post-mortem examinations are pending.

The commission said Section 21 notices have been issued to the concerned officers, requiring statements and interviews.

Members of the public with information, including photos or videos, have been urged to assist investigators via INDECOM’s WhatsApp line or regional offices.

INDECOM:

Eight of the deceased persons have been identified; three men remain unidentified.

• 27 year old, Devonie Chase (Fatal shooting in Sheffield, Westmoreland on April 3)

• 28 year old, Reagan McIntosh (Fatal shooting in Sheffield, Westmoreland on April 3)

• Unidentified male (Fatal shooting in Sheffield, Westmoreland on April 3)

• 19 year old, Tywain Campbell (Planned operation in Brown’s Hall, St. Catherine on April 4)

• 22 year old, Shackille Bennett (Planned operation in Brown’s Hall, St. Catherine on April 4)

• 52 year old, Geoffe Campbell (Planned operation in Brown’s Hall, St. Catherine on April 4)

• 21 year old, Romario Sibblies (Planned operation in Denham Town, Kingston 13 on April 4)

• 19 year old, Justin Somers (Fatal shooting in March Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine on April 5)

• 17 year old, Cory Somers (Fatal shooting in March Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine on April 5)

• Unidentified male with the alias as “Coolie” (Fatal shooting in March Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine on April 5)

• Unidentified male (Fatal shooting in African Gardens, August Town, Kingston on April 6)

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