Prime Minister Holness Affirms Government’s Commitment to the Use of Body-Worn Cameras in JCF
“For us to deploy cameras, it is not about the deployment of the camera. The camera is the least of the system of being able to capture real-time footage of police doing their duties.”
-Prime Minister Holness
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Prime Minister Andrew Holness has affirmed the government’s firm resolve in deploying body-worn cameras across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).
Dr. Holness says the cameras will be used as a core tool for accountability and transparency in the police force.
“The Government of Jamaica is committed to the deployment and use of body-worn cameras for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and indeed, where necessary, for the Jamaica Defence Force. There is no conflict. There is no indecisiveness. It is something that we are doing and we will continue to do,” Prime Minister Holness stated.
Prime Minister Holness emphasized that while the public often views body cameras as a simple solution, their effective deployment requires a significant investment in the supporting infrastructure.
The Prime Minister also revealed that the government has already invested significant resources in JCF’s transformation and reassured the public that body-worn cameras will soon be a standard tool for all police officers.
“We have in procurement now over $200 million for cameras. We procured last time about $70 million worth of cameras, and we continue to procure. So I want the country to be assured that the government is 100% committed to having body-worn cameras become a standard feature of the police officer’s kit,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister clarified that body-worn cameras are just one part of a broader system that includes data storage and management facilities, secure data transfer systems, and reliable broadband connectivity.
“For us to deploy cameras, it is not about the deployment of the camera. The camera is the least of the systems of being able to capture real-time footage of police doing their duties,” he noted.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister highlighted plans to enhance public safety and security, which include the expansion of the Jamaica Eye surveillance system and the development of a state-of-the-art C5 centre that will integrate camera feeds and enable real-time, intelligence-driven responses to security needs.
Prime Minister Holness assured the public of his Administration’s focus on creating a cohesive technological ecosystem within the JCF. This transformation, he emphasized, is not superficial but strategically designed to enhance crime prevention, response capabilities, and accountability.
“We are investing heavily in the technological improvements for the JCF as part of the transformational strategy, but we are not just investing in technology for show. We have properly designed an ecosystem where everything works together. You will begin to see massive improvements in our ability to deal with some of our crime problems,” he affirmed.
This transformation is part of a broader strategy to provide Jamaica’s law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to operate effectively, increase transparency, and ensure that resources are used efficiently to build a safer Jamaica.
The Prime Minister was speaking on Tuesday (November 12) at the Inspector Development Course Graduation Ceremony for the 2nd Cohort of Inspectors.