September 22, 2022

I Said What I Said: Jamaica’s National Security Minister Defends Comments On Police-Involved Shootings

By Newsroom

In the face of criticism for comments he made telling police officers they “must not shoot to miss” when approached by gunmen, Jamaica’s National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang says he stands firmly behind his words.

Chang maintains his statement was in line with the island’s “standard use of force policy”, arguing that if officers aren’t trained to return fire, they will be the one to lose their lives.

He responded to critics on Wednesday during a tour in the St. Catherine parish, where he met with the family members of those shot during Sunday’s gun attack in Spring Village.

What did he say?

Last Thursday, while speaking at an official ceremony in Westmoreland, the Jamaican Minister said:“Anytime a man take up a gun after police…when him fire him mustn’t miss. And when him get hurt, him get hurt. Once him pull a gun on a police officer, him must be prepared to deal with it.”

He continued by saying he would prefer if the criminal does not then need medical care since that will cost the state “$10 million” (Jamaican dollars) to save his life.

Dr. Chang’s comments were almost immediately condemned by the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) and the human rights lobby, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ).

“In any confrontation, the law gives primacy to the right to life, which is an inalienable constitutional right,” INDECOM said, outlining that injury or surrender are also possible outcomes when law enforcement officials are engaged in solving and tackling crime.

Meanwhile, Jamaicans for Justice described the Minister’s statement as an “unfortunate stance” that could be “interpreted as a tacit approval of extrajudicial killings.”

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