Social Media and Police Excess in Jamaica: A Comparative Analysis with Other Nations

Abstract

The emergence of social media as a digital public sphere has transformed how citizens monitor, document, and contest police excess worldwide. In Jamaica, where concerns over extrajudicial killings, excessive use of force, and allegations of systemic misconduct have been longstanding, platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (X), WhatsApp, and TikTok provide new avenues for civic participation and accountability. This paper examines how social media use in Jamaica offers insight into cases of police excess, amplifies the voices of affected communities, and shapes public opinion. Drawing comparisons with global movements, including #BlackLivesMatter in the United States, #EndSARS in Nigeria, and campaigns against police brutality in South Africa and the wider Caribbean, the analysis situates Jamaica’s experiences within broader patterns of digital activism and state-citizen contestation. While social media facilitates transparency and empowers grassroots mobilisation, it also presents challenges, including misinformation, state surveillance, and unequal digital access. The study highlights both the opportunities and risks of relying on digital platforms for accountability and evaluates the extent to which social media can drive reform in policing practices. Findings suggest that Jamaica shares similarities with other nations in terms of digital mobilisation, yet unique cultural, political, and historical contexts shape how social media functions as a tool of resistance and reform. The paper concludes that while social media cannot substitute for institutional accountability, it remains a critical supplement in Jamaica’s struggle to curb police excess and promote democratic governance.