Self-Styled Don Warns Against Removing Police Body Cameras In Gun Battles

A man describing himself as a don says any move to take police body cameras out of use during armed encounters with gunmen could place ordinary Jamaicans in greater danger. The issue has sharpened debate over how far police should go to protect officers while still satisfying public calls for openness when fatal operations occur.

"Dem a talk like seh secrecy and sneaking up pon people is some smart strategy, but a same so criminal move too," the man told THE WEEKEND STAR. "People not saying police wrong every time," he added. "But people a say 'Show us'. And if you remove the way fi show it, then what left?"

His remarks follow public criticism of comments linked to National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang, who indicated that officers may not use body-worn cameras in some high-risk confrontations. Chang said police tactics in dangerous situations must put officer safety first, while some persons backing that view have argued that visible cameras could compromise officers during tactical moves.

The don, however, said the concern goes beyond whether police are safer, pointing instead to a repeated explanation that many Jamaicans no longer accept without evidence. "Every time something happen, the explanation come quick - confrontation, gunman, exchange of fire," he said. "People notice the pattern. So if camera nah go deh deh inna those moments, weh exactly people supposed to rely pon?"

Body-worn cameras have been put forward for years as a way to strengthen public confidence and create an independent record of police interactions, particularly when fatal shootings are challenged. The don said switching them off or removing them when force is most likely to be used would feed suspicion and leave civilians more exposed.

"Regular people live inna di same space, so when tactics get more aggressive and less visible, is dem get caught inna di middle. Not everybody out there is a gunman," he said. "All it take is one wrong call. If you can't verify what happen after, then who answer when the wrong person get caught up? The one time yuh woulda really need the proof is when things turn deadly. If that missing, it only raise doubt."

Since the beginning of 2026, more than 100 people have died in reported clashes with the police. At the same time, Jamaica Constabulary Force figures show major crimes have dropped sharply compared with the similar period last year. Up to April 18, murders had fallen 27.4 per cent, moving from 219 last year to 159, while shootings were down 35.1 per cent, from 231 to 150.

The don said those numbers should not be taken as proof that the problem has been solved. He suggested that criminals may simply be keeping a lower profile. "A nuff man low-key right now," he said. "Is not that things stop, it just quiet. Man a move different, not loud like before."

He also said fewer young people may be entering criminal groups because the dangers are now more obvious. "Because dem a watch what a gwaan too. Dem see the outcome clearer now. Before, it look like quick money. Now it look like death."

But he cautioned that the fall in crime could be temporary. "If the same issues still deh deh underneath, it can come back just as fast." He said crime-fighting methods could create fresh problems if more Jamaicans come to believe the justice system is tilted against them. "When people start feel like the system one-sided, tension build," he said. "And when tension build in a place like Jamaica, it nuh take long fi things get outta control."

"Look pon Haiti. When people lose trust in the system and feel like nobody nah accountable, order break down fast," he added. "It start small, then nobody trust nothing."

The don said policy should not allow firm policing to become unchecked authority. He said Jamaicans want crime reduced, but not through methods that remove transparency. "Everybody want less crime, nobody nah argue dat," he said. "But if the method start look like anything goes, den yuh create a next problem."

Although the issue has drawn mixed responses on social media, he said confidence in the police cannot simply be demanded from the public. "You have to show people why dem should have it," he said. "The badge supposed to make the difference," he added. "If people can't see the difference, then everything start look the same."