May 24, 2026

Holness reiterates commitment to full deployment of camera systems including BWCs

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reiterated the government’s commitment to the full deployment of integrated camera systems across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) including body-worn cameras. 

The Prime Minister said the systems will also include patrol car cameras, and national surveillance infrastructure, as part of a broader drive to strengthen accountability and operational effectiveness within the force.

Prime Minister Holness said the policy direction is clear: technology must increasingly support modern policing and enhance the transparency of police-citizen interactions, particularly in high-risk and high-contact environments.

He explained that the broader system includes closed-circuit television coverage integrated into command and control centres, the continued expansion of the JamaicaEye surveillance network and the development of a modern C5-type command centre to enhance national security coordination.

The Prime Minister also noted that while limited capability exists, work is underway to equip police patrol vehicles with in-car camera systems which will support front-line policing and operational oversight.

Turning to body-worn cameras, Prime Minister Holness said approximately 1,000 units are deployed within the JCF with an additional 1,000 in procurement and further acquisitions planned as part of a phased national roll-out.

Dr. Holness said the expansion of police camera systems forms part of a wider transformation of the security architecture, designed to strengthen public trust, improve accountability and enhance the evidentiary integrity of policing in Jamaica.