Human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) has expressed concern about soldiers and police officers wearing masks, while on operations.

This after it received several reports, that the members of the security forces have been observed wearing face masks and balaclavas, while conducting public duties.

In a statement, Executive Director of JFJ Mickel Jackson called on the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) leadership to publicly disclose any protocol concerning the wearing of masks and balaclavas during general public duties, or planned or tactical operations.

Ms. Jackson said it is critical that citizens have a reliable means of identifying officers wearing such coverings.

This ensures they can report misconduct to the JCF, JDF, the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) and relevant oversight bodies when misconduct is alleged.

Ms. Jackson states that the inability of persons to clearly identify officers by other means, such as badges or numbers, jeopardizes public safety and accountability, leaving victims of alleged abuses without justice.

She also cited a 2020 Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) case, in which charges could not be recommended by INDECOM against soldiers allegedly involved in an assault, partly because at least one JDF officer wore a mask, obscuring identification.

Ms. Jackson suggested that the JCF and JDF emulate what has been done in Trinidad since 2022, with that country’s police putting a ban on the wearing of balaclavas with tactical gear, in a bid to curb impersonation.