Jamaica’s Murder Rate Drops, but Surge in Police Killings Sparks Human Rights Outcry
As Jamaica celebrates a significant drop in homicides, human rights advocates are raising alarms over a parallel and troubling rise in fatal police shootings, calling for urgent reforms to ensure law enforcement remains accountable.
In a rare bright spot for Jamaica's public security, the country has recorded its lowest murder rate in over 20 years for the second time in 2025. Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake attributed the drop to “careful planning, tireless execution, and a commitment to excellence” by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Defence Force, and key security partners. From January to April, overall major crimes dropped by 18%, with murders alone down by 37%.
“These are not just numbers,” Blake emphasized. “Each represents a life saved, a family spared grief, and a community made safer.”
However, this positive development is shadowed by a sharp and deeply concerning rise in fatal police shootings. According to the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), 111 people were killed by security forces in the first four months of 2025—more than double the 44 fatalities during the same period last year, marking a 152% increase.
This dramatic spike has triggered a wave of criticism from human rights groups, particularly Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ). The organization is calling for the immediate implementation of body-worn cameras for police officers, arguing that greater transparency and oversight are urgently needed.
JFJ’s executive director, Mickel Jackson, stated that numerous citizen accounts of fatal incidents diverge sharply from official police narratives, and in some cases, video evidence contradicts the authorities’ version of events. “We are receiving complaints where the public’s version is in stark contrast to police reports,” Jackson said. “This alone justifies the need for body-worn cameras.”
The debate over policing practices reached the national spotlight when JFJ organized a protest against the surge in police killings, urging participants to wear black. In response, a pro-police “blue” campaign gained traction on social media, encouraging Jamaicans to wear blue in support of law enforcement. Major companies, including the national pharmacy chain Fontana, backed the initiative.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness was photographed wearing a blue suit while speaking with police officials during the campaign, sparking criticism from activists who felt the gesture signaled political alignment with the police amid growing concerns about abuse of power. Holness defended the government’s stance, stating that Jamaica’s war against gangs requires decisive actions—even when those actions result in fatalities.
“The violence caused by organized gangs demands a strong response,” Holness said. “The JCF’s efforts to interdict criminals are bound to lead to increased confrontations, and sadly, some of these confrontations are fatal.”
But for those directly affected, such as Katrina Chin—whose cousin Andrew Richards was fatally shot by police during a raid in January—the cost of this aggressive approach is too high. “We’re not denying Jamaica has a serious crime problem,” she said, “but that doesn’t justify killing innocent people.”
Carla Gullotta, executive director of Stand Up For Jamaica, emphasized the importance of strengthening community relations in volatile neighborhoods. “Trust must be rebuilt, and transparency is key,” she said.
Jackson stressed that supporting police efforts and demanding accountability are not mutually exclusive. “You can support a drop in murder rates and still call for transparency. This is about justice, not opposition,” she explained.
As Jamaica grapples with how to balance crime-fighting and human rights, the path forward may lie in embracing both safety and accountability—ensuring that justice is upheld not just for victims of crime, but also for those who die at the hands of the very forces meant to protect them.