The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) recently released a revised version of it's Human Rights and Police Use of Force and Firearms Policy. The Gleaner continues publication of excerpts of the documents.

Oral warning

Members of the JCF shall identify themselves as such and give a clear warning of their intent to use firearms, with sufficient time for the warning to be observed, unless to do so would unduly place the member at risk or would create a risk of death or serious harm to other persons, or would be clearly inappropriate or pointless in the circumstances of the incident.

Firing at or from moving vehicles

Members of the JCF will not, in normal circumstances, fire at or from a moving vehicle. However, there may be circumstances where the life of an officer or member of the public is at risk and the only course of action available is to engage a subject in, or from, a moving vehicle. If such a course of action is deemed absolutely necessary, the following matters must be borne in mind and officers must be aware of the potential consequences and their responsibilities to protect the right to life of innocent bystanders.

Due to the construction of modern vehicles, shots are likely to be ineffective in immobilising the vehicle and cause a very real danger of ricochet. Rounds may also over-penetrate the vehicle to the danger of innocent persons.

If the driver is killed or injured, there is a high risk of the vehicle going out of control.

Shots fired from a moving vehicle are unlikely to be accurate because of the movement of the shooter or subject.

Research has established that when bullets, especially those from high velocity weapons, strike the windows or bodywork of a motor vehicle, a flash is produced, which may resemble the muzzle flash of some weapons. The same effect could be produced when a high velocity bullet strikes the windowpane of a building. These findings are of real significance and must be borne in mind by officers engaged in operational firearms duties.

Firearms will not be discharged at a vehicle simply because it has failed to stop for a signal at a road check; or to immobilise a vehicle.