The Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM says 127 people were shot and killed by the security forces, last year, while 68 people were shot and wounded.

This is the second consecutive year where an increase in fatal shootings has been recorded.

Speaking at a press conference this morning (February 17), Assistant Commissioner of INDECOM, Hamish Campbell noted that there was a 10 per cent increase in fatal shootings.

On the other hand there was a reduction in non fatal shootings.

In the meantime, some 19 people have been killed by the security forces so far this year, an increase over the similar period last year.

Mr. Campbell noted however, that data over the last 17 years shows that fatal shootings have declined over the last 8 years.

Shootings have fallen from above 200 annually to over a hundred each year.

He explained that in the 9 years from 2005 to 2013, 2,145 people were killed by the security forces compared to 960 persons killed in the last 8 years from 2014 to 2021.

And INDECOM is again emphasizing the need for the de-escalation of situations involving the mentally ill, without the use of deadly force.

This against the background of four mentally ill persons being shot, three of them fatally, since the start of the year.

Speaking at a press conference this morning, Commissioner of INDECOM, Hugh Faulkner noted that all steps must be taken to utilize non-lethal methods to disarm and subdue threats to the security forces where appropriate.

Commissioner Faulkner said these strategies require the use of time, distance and cover to handle the situations properly.

Mr. Faulkner noted that there were 8 fatal incidents involving the mentally ill in 2021, and 8 non fatal incidents.