Prime Minister Holness Affirms That Body-Worn Cameras Remain a Priority for Government
“It is in the Government’s interest and in your interest that our police officers have body-worn cameras.”
– Prime Minister Holness
Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness has firmly dismissed public pronouncements and discourse in some quarters suggesting that the Government, through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), is resisting the use of body-worn cameras for members of the force.
Speaking today (May 6) at the Commissioning of the Olympic Way JamaicaEye Control Centre, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the Government remains fully committed to deploying body-worn cameras. However, the use of the cameras requires first building out the necessary infrastructure and secure ecosystem to support their effective use.
“I hear some people talking about cameras and body-worn cameras. The Government knows what it is doing. We are moving with speed and alacrity to have it installed. It is in the Government’s interest and in your interest that our police officers have body-worn cameras, and as fast as possible. We want to have those deployed,” said Prime Minister Holness.
The Prime Minister noted that simply acquiring cameras without a secure and functional backend system would be irresponsible.
“We don’t want to have cameras that we put on, and then it doesn’t work. It’s not about cameras. It’s about an ecosystem where each officer can capture the situation that confronts them and have that evidence stored in a retrievable and secure way, one that meets evidentiary standards for court proceedings. That is what we want, and that is what we are building,” the Prime Minister noted.
Dr. Holness also announced that the Government has invested in and is actively building out a C5 Centre, which will enhance national security surveillance and response systems.
“We are not just talking about security. We are putting it in. The C5 Centre is very close to being operational. It costs a significant amount of resources, and we have funded it.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that these technological investments are designed to support police officers, build public trust, and ensure justice.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness also condemned recent violent crimes in the Olympic Gardens area, including the tragic murder of a 14-year-old girl in a drive-by shooting.
Dr. Holness announced a two-million-dollar reward for those responsible for her death.
The Prime Minister urged citizens to stand with the police and support justice.
“We must not have pity and sympathy for these criminals. We must not come out and protest on their behalf. It is time that Jamaica stands up and is definitive. We must stand up and protest for the victims. Every Jamaican should resolve that we must get rid of the criminals,” Dr. Holness said.
Prime Minister Holness said the Government of Jamaica remains committed to enhancing national security and fostering public trust through modern, accountable, and people-centered policing.
Through strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, and community engagement, the Government will continue to build a safer and more secure Jamaica for all.