Police begin use of body cameras in some divisions

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) on Monday implemented the use of body cameras in a limited number of divisions in its move to improve transparency and accountability in its interactions with members of the public.
  
However, Superintendent Norris Rhooms, officer in charge of the Information, Communications and Technology Division of the JCF, told RJR News that there are limitations with the units.
  
"We had a pilot project earlier and we had some limitations so we had some minor fixes. The vendor came down, did some repairs to some of the cameras, and did some adjustments to some of the software. They have sent out some newer model cameras to be used and we have sensitised our officers about some of these limitations," he said. 

One limitation Superintendent Rhooms highlighted is that the cameras will not work for the officers' tour of duty, which lasts for eight hours.

He said, given the limitation on the number of hours the cameras will operate, officers have been instructed on when to use them.

"The camera will turn on when our police officers are interacting with the public, so if an officer is speaking to you, they would turn on the camera and after that brief encounter of conversation, they would turn off their camera," he pointed out.

Superintendent Rhooms said the first set of divisions to begin using the body cameras are Kingston East, Kingston Central, St. Andrew South and St. Andrew Central. 

Motorised Patrol and Traffic headquarters will be the next divisions to utilise the devices.