Government Reaffirms Full Commitment to Body-Worn Cameras for JCF
“The JCF embraces wholeheartedly the use of body-worn cameras. The leadership of the JCF has been very proactive in securing the best technological platform and ecosystem to support the full deployment of body-worn cameras.”
– Prime Minister Holness
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government of Jamaica’s unequivocal support for the full deployment of body-worn cameras (BWCs) across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), as the government continues to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing.
Speaking on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) at the Passing-Out Parade and Awards Ceremony for Trainee Constables of Batches 161 and 162 at the National Police College of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness made it clear that the JCF “embraces wholeheartedly the use of body-worn cameras” and that the Government is committed to equipping the Force with the resources required to support modern, rights-respecting policing.
Dr. Holness highlighted that approximately one thousand body-worn cameras have already been secured, with additional units currently in procurement. He confirmed that the Government will provide the necessary budgetary support to ensure that all formations requiring BWCs are adequately equipped.
“This announcement is intended to put to rest public concerns that have been expressed in various media and other quarters,” the Prime Minister said, noting that while procurement processes must follow established public-sector regulations, the policy direction is clear and decisive.
“It is the intention of the Government to provide the security forces with all the equipment they need to ensure that policing is transparent, that interactions are properly captured, and that evidence is available to support accountability and prosecution where necessary,” he added.
The Prime Minister emphasized that body-worn cameras are not optional tools but a core component of 21st-century law enforcement. He underscored that BWCs form part of a wider technology-driven transformation of the JCF, alongside investments in JamaicaEye, digital case management systems, intelligence-led policing, and the development of the C5 command centre.
Furthermore, Dr. Holness said these investments are designed both to enhance operational effectiveness and reinforce legitimacy and public confidence in policing.
“Technology is a force multiplier. But what ultimately guides the Force is its values, respect for human rights, dignity, and the rule of law,” he said.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the modernization of the JCF is central to Jamaica’s broader national transformation, pointing to sustained reductions in violent crime and improved institutional performance as clear evidence that the strategy is working. He noted that body-worn cameras will play a critical role in sustaining these gains by strengthening professionalism, safeguarding officers and citizens alike, and ensuring that policing is fair, evidence-based, and constitutionally grounded.
Prime Minister Holness said the Government’s position is clear: a modern Jamaica requires a modern constabulary that is properly trained, properly equipped, and fully accountable to the people it serves.