A comprehensive survey conducted across ten marginalized communities in Kingston and St Andrew has revealed a profound crisis of institutional trust, with the Church emerging as the most trusted entity while government and law enforcement institutions face severe skepticism.
The 2025 Citizens’ Rights, Roles, Responsibilities and Practices Survey, implemented by The Mico University College with funding from Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and European Union support, found that 63.3% of respondents (193 of 305 individuals) identified the Church as their most trusted institution. Religious leaders were described as providing essential services as “mediators, counsellors, and sources of moral guidance” in communities where formal institutions often fail.
Justice-focused organizations received cautious endorsement, with JFJ trusted by 42.6% of respondents and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) by 39.0%. However, these institutions faced criticism for their slow response times despite being valued for their oversight functions.
In stark contrast, government institutions recorded alarming distrust levels. The survey revealed that 71.9% of respondents disagreed that the government acts in the best interest of all Jamaicans, while 54.7% believed officials face no accountability for their actions. The police force similarly faced widespread criticism, with participants reporting experiences of “harassment, indifference, and corruption.” Many noted that police involvement often escalated conflicts rather than resolving them.
The research, which engaged residents across Tivoli Gardens, Hannah Town, Mountain View, Waterhouse, Rose Town, Whitfield Town, McIntyre Villa/Dunkirk, Trench Town, August Town, and Denham Town, found politicians were perceived as “transactional” figures who only appeared during election cycles. One Mountain View resident characterized the pattern: “Election time dem come wid food and music — after dat, silence.”
Judicial institutions were seen as favoring the wealthy, with one participant noting, “Justice expensive. If yuh nuh have money, yuh lose even if yuh right.”
Interpersonal trust varied significantly between communities. Neighborhoods with long-term residency patterns demonstrated stronger social bonds, while areas fragmented by gang conflicts expressed extremely low interpersonal trust. Some communities praised the Restorative Justice Centre for resolving disputes more effectively than formal institutions.
The survey methodology utilized trained community-based data collectors to overcome distrust of outsiders, with 305 participants engaged through brief street surveys along main thoroughfares. This approach was necessary given the volatility of the communities and general suspicion toward external researchers.