The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), is expressing alarm at the increase in police fatal shootings for the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.

64 people have been shot and killed by the police since the start of 2017, compared to 44, during the same period last year.

This is a 45 % increase in police fatal shootings.

Deputy Commissioner of Indecom, Hamish Campbell, says this figure is disturbing.

85 people have been shot by the police so far this year; of that number 31 were unarmed.

Mr. Campbell says the JCF’s own use of force policy, as well as, guidance and discipline can curtail many of these incidents.

He says the quarterly report submitted to parliament highlights some of the issues contributing to this high number of shooting incidents.

He was speaking at the agency’s first quarterly press conference in Kingston this morning (May 26).