Lethal force last resort

DESCRIBING the police killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin in Granville, St James, as deeply disturbing, retired Senior Superintendent of Police Steve McGregor is calling on the members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to rethink the present approach to crime and policing, warning that in high-pressure situations, lethal force must be the last resort.

At the same time, McGregor cautioned the public against declaring the law enforcers involved in the incident as murderers without knowing the circumstances that led to the shooting.

With more than four decades of service in the JCF, he said he understands the frustration many Jamaicans feel towards the police, but noted that justice cannot be based on emotion, and due process must be followed to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

Reports suggested that on May 17 Bulgin was transporting people to protest the shooting death of 17-year-old Tjey Edwards by police. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the incident showed that the cop fired in her direction as she sat behind the steering wheel of a Toyota Voxy motor vehicle after it was stopped by police in the community square. After Bulgin was shot, she was removed from the vehicle legs first. She was then placed on the ground before another cop joined, helping to lift her by her arms and legs, after which she was thrown into the back of a police pickup. The cops then struggled to close the tailgate of the vehicle.

A police report of the incident said Bulgin threatened to run over the cop who shot her. The matter is being investigated by the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom).

In a letter to the editor, McGregor noted that any loss of life involving the police should concern everyone, and it demands sensitivity, professionalism, and accountability. He stated that public confidence in the police is currently fragile, adding that, whether fair or unfair, a trust gap exists and rebuilding that confidence must become a major priority for the JCF.

“Professionalism in policing must be strengthened at every level. Divisional commanders should engage the public more frequently through press briefings, town hall meetings, and community forums. Citizens need opportunities to ask questions, voice concerns, and better understand the challenges officers face. We police by consent, and if the relationship between the police and the people deteriorates, policing itself becomes even more difficult,” said McGregor.

He added, “There must also be renewed emphasis on training, supervision, mentorship, and leadership within the force. I am not entirely convinced that some younger officers are receiving the same level of preparation and guidance that many of us benefited from years ago. Experienced senior officers once taught us not only how to enforce the law, but how to exercise restraint, communicate effectively, and remain calm under pressure.”

While he admitted that he did not know the details of the incident, the retired senior superintendent stressed that the police cannot approach every situation as simply to “fight crime”, but must learn to manage crime more intelligently and professionally.

“The language officers use matters. Their tone matters. Their attitude matters. Respect and professionalism can often defuse situations before they escalate into confrontation. Sensitivity matters too, especially in situations where women are involved. Regardless of the outcome of this investigation, a woman is dead, and that reality alone should remind all of us of the seriousness of this matter,” he said.

“I continue to support the hard-working men and women of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, because I know the difficult conditions under which many of them operate. But support for the police and accountability for the police must coexist. One does not cancel out the other,” he added.

Having served 42 years with the JCF, McGregor said he fully understands the realities of policing in Jamaica and knows what it feels like to operate in an “overly indisciplined society” and tense situations, not knowing whether he will return home safely, but noted that police officers are trained to handle difficult situations professionally.

“We are trained in conflict management, tactical response, de-escalation, and the appropriate use of force. Lethal force is supposed to be the last resort, not the first option,” he stressed.

McGregor further called for the investigations into Bulgin’s death to proceed without emotional hysteria or trial by social media. He said if criminal charges must be laid against any police officer the matters should be dealt with before the courts with urgency and fairness.

However, he noted that accountability must not end there. The retired cop added that if police officers are found in breach of departmental discipline, or operational failures are identified, then those responsible must also be held accountable within the JCF, with the public notified of actions taken.

“Important questions must be answered: Was there sufficient supervision during the operation? Were standard operational procedures followed? Was proper care and attention given to the injured person after the incident? The JCF must understand that the public needs reassurance that the rules governing police conduct are being enforced fairly and consistently. Transparency and accountability are essential if the force hopes to rebuild trust and improve public confidence,” said McGregor.

He also reinforced the call for police officers to be equipped with body-worn cameras, noting that the devices protect officers from “unfair assumptions and incomplete narratives and can provide critical context, transparency, and accountability” to arrive at a more balanced conclusion.

“Leadership at every level of the force must now be prepared to make difficult decisions, strengthen standards, improve training, and restore public confidence, because, if we are being honest with ourselves, things are not looking good right now. We have to do better, my former colleagues. Jamaica deserves better from all of us,” he stressed.

Year to date, Indecom said 133 people have been fatally shot by members of the security forces, compared to 129 for the corresponding period in 2025. Of this total, 18 were recorded in May. Indecom also noted that none of the three cops reportedly assigned to crowd control duties at the protest had been issued or were wearing body-worn cameras at the time of the fatal shooting, a long-standing criticism from sections of civil society.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Andrew Holness extended condolence to Bulgin’s family, acknowledging that the events caused pain, anger, and deep concern across Jamaica. Speaking at a JCF graduation ceremony for the 91st Staff & Junior Command Courses, he reminded graduands that they are mandated to preserve and protect lives, using their training and professionalism to properly carry out operations.

The prime minister further directed the JCF to urgently review and reform its procedures for dealing with injured and dead people at crime scenes, stressing that their foremost duty ought to be the preservation and protection of human life.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake used his latest Commissioner’s Corner to address the broader realities of police decision-making amid the growing public debate over police use of force following the fatal shooting of Bulgin. Blake argued that policing involves high-stakes judgements made under pressure, uncertainty, and incomplete information — often in rapidly evolving and dangerous situations.

He stressed that, while accountability is essential in democratic policing, public assessments of police actions must also consider the operational conditions under which officers act, noting that critics often review incidents with hindsight unavailable to officers on the ground.

Blake also emphasised the importance of rigorous training, professionalism, emotional resilience, and principled leadership, arguing that police decisions should be guided by ethics, evidence, and the greater good.

“We must learn not to become paralysed by criticism nor intoxicated by praise. Good decision-making is not the absence of criticism; rather, it is the disciplined pursuit of what is lawful, ethical, and necessary despite criticism,” the police commissioner wrote.

He further emphasised the need to cultivate police officers who can think clearly amid uncertainty, and leaders who can act decisively amid pressure.

“The nation depends on our judgement every day,” said Blake. “Let us, therefore, strive to ensure that our decisions — whether operational, tactical, or strategic — are grounded in professionalism and wisdom.”

A strong police presence in Granville, St James, last week Monday following a second day of protests in the wake of a police fatal shooting.

BLAKE…we must learn not to become paralysed by criticism nor intoxicated by praise

Some of the roads blocked by angry residents of Granville, St James, last Monday, following the May 17 fatal shooting of Latoya ‘Buju’ Bulgin.