Police Fatality in Jamaica, 2013 to 2023: An Epidemiological Profile of the Crime Fighting Dilemma of Police Officers in Jamaica

Abstract

This study investigates the mortality rates within the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) from 2013 to 2023, comparing these to the general Jamaican population to identify any significant disparities and underlying causes. The research utilised a descriptive research design analysing secondary data from the JCF's Statistics and Information Management Unit. Our findings reveal a notably higher probability of death from murders and traffic-related incidents among JCF members compared to the general population. Specifically, the death rate within the JCF ranged between 1.6 and 2.9 per 1000 population, while the general Jamaican population experienced a higher range of 5.6 to 8.9 per 1000 population over the same period. However, the probability of dying was more significant in the JCF than in the broader population for six of the eleven years studied. Natural causes accounted for the majority of deaths in both populations, though murders constituted a higher percentage of deaths within the JCF (20.9%) compared to Jamaica overall (6.37%). This research highlights the increased risks law enforcement officers face in Jamaica and underscores the need for targeted interventions to address these risks.