488 / 494
487
15.30.
The most significant and worrying feature of our Enquiry was the
fact that the JCF did not acknowledge responsibility for any civilian deaths
whatsoever. The JDF, for its part, gave evidence of only one such death – a
sniper on the Blood Bank building. The time has surely come to usher in a
radical new culture in the operations of the security forces: a culture that
provides for greater transparency and accountability.
15.31.
Since 2005, police forces in many countries have introduced body-
worn video cameras to assist in capturing evidence in real time, to improve the
quality of evidence and to provide a mechanism for greater accountability by
members of police forces. The technology has been tried and tested. Rigorous
evaluations have found that body-worn cameras are effective in reducing
violence by police and complaints against the police. They protect both citizens
and police.
15.32.
This
recommendation
should also apply to soldiers who
participate in special policing operations. Most of all, they should be routinely
used in house clearing operations.
15.33.
We fully appreciate that the provision of such technology will be
costly but the use of the technology can be phased in according to the resources
available to the GoJ. We also appreciate that amendments to legislation will
necessarily be required. Nevertheless, we believe that the introduction of body
worn cameras must occur without undue delay.
We therefore recommend
the introduction of this type of technology.
4.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN JOINT OPERATIONS – A TRANSITION
COMMAND PROTOCOL
15.34.
We recommend
that the JDF and JCF fashion a transition
command protocol that would be applied in instances of large-scale joint internal