KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom) has identified a significant rise in fatalities during planned police operations (PPOs), attributing the trend to the increased deployment of Area Fugitive Apprehension Teams (AFATs). According to a Special Investigative Report tabled in the House of Representatives, AFATs, which accounted for less than 5% of PPO deployments and fatalities in 2022/23, now represent 50% of deployments and nearly half of all PPO-related deaths as of July 2025. This stark escalation contrasts sharply with 2019, when the disbandment of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Mobile Reserve command coincided with the lowest fatality figures in recent history—86 fatal shootings and only 10 PPO-related deaths. Indecom’s data reveals a concerning trajectory: in 2022, AFATs were involved in 5% of PPOs, resulting in 31 deaths; by 2025, their involvement surged to 51% of PPOs, with 97 fatalities recorded in just seven months. The AFATs, a specialized unit targeting violent criminals across divisional boundaries, were established to address the mobility and networking of high-profile offenders. However, Indecom has raised alarms about the lack of modern forensic protocols during operations, noting that recovered firearms are often improperly handled, compromising evidence integrity. The commission also highlighted the disproportionate involvement of senior officers with prior fatal shooting incidents in PPOs, with 11 operations under their command flagged as suspicious. Indecom’s findings underscore the urgent need for improved oversight and forensic practices to mitigate the rising toll of PPO-related fatalities.