A STATISTICAL analysis indicates that the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, which has been operating under the cloud of the IMPACS report for nine months out of this year, has surpassed expectations in its crime reduction and prevention efforts.
In fact reports of a police force demoralized as a result of the IMPACS report does not seem in sync with figures compiled by the Central Intelligence Unit of the police force.
With respect to the status of crime in Saint Lucia from 1 January ā 30 November, the CIUās analysis showed that the police force has had relative success.
āThe analysis shows that there has been reductions in the number of cases reported which is indicative of a reduction of crime on the island. Intensification in our intelligence and proactive policing measures will result in further reductions in incidents of crime islandwide,ā the CIU concluded in its report for the first 11 months of this year.
For instance while the current detection rates remained constant (52%) over January ā November 2014 and 2015, there have been successes and improved detection rates in certain categories of crime like offences against person and drug related offences.
The figures for the January to November period for 2014 showed that 17,448 reported incidents of crime were accepted with 9004 being detected. For the same period this year 15,924 were accepted with 8329 detected. Both periods recorded a 52 percent rate of detection.
For the first 11 months of this year there was general fluctuation with most of the major crime categories. Sexual offences recorded an increase of 0.8%, crimes against person decreased by 4%, firearm offences decreased by 39% and drug offences decreased by 3% during the period. Conversely, crimes against property decreased by 15% and summary offences recorded a decrease of 11%.
The most populated part of the country, which is the northern sector accounted for most of the incidents of crime, 41% of total crimes accepted. This was followed by the central sector with 36% of total crimes accepted. The southern sector recorded the lowest share with 23%.
The police force showed that although it was operating in the fog of the IMPACS report it improved its murder detection rate by one percent compared to the same period last year. In fact the murder rate for the January ā November period decreased this year (27 recorded) compared to last year, same period in which 31 homicides were recorded.
Seventy-four cases of firearm offences with a detection rate of 58% were recorded this year for the period under review, representing a significant reduction in the number of cases of gun related crime as compared to the same period in 2014, where a total of 122 cases were reported. For the review period in 2015, 43 out of the 74 cases accepted were detected.
Regarding sexual offence cases for January – November of last year, a total of 235 cases were reported, with a total of 150 being detected, thus representing a 64% detection rate for Sexual Offences during that period. These figures, compared to those for the same period this year where 237 cases were reported, cases or 54% were detected by Police.
The number of reported rape cases increased in 2015 by 20 when compared to 36 cases accepted in 2014. Despite the increased number of cases in 2015, the detection rates for rape cases increased from 47% in 2014 to 57% in 2015. For cases of Unlawful Sexual Connection this year recorded a decrease by three cases. Sexual Intercourse with a person under twelve years recorded a decrease from 67 cases in 2014 to 38 cases in 2015 for the period under review. There was a 79% detection rate in 2014, compared to a 53% detection rate for this year. Sexual Intercourse with a Person between Twelve and Sixteen years revealed an increase this year of 11 cases being recorded compared to four cases in 2014. Indecent Assault recorded a slight increase by one case, from 63 cases in 2014 to 64 in 2015.
Errol, A.C. Police:
You have shown great leadership in the past months, and the stats. testify to your stellar performance as head of Police Force, after the corruption bequeathed by Augusto Pinochet Francois and his killer cops.
I hope Dr. Anthony moves quickly to install you permanently to the position of Commissioner. I have always argued that Augusto Pinochet Francois was a ‘febbo’ leader, and was the reason there were increasing crimes of murder carried out by Pinochet Francois and his assassins.
I appeal to Kenny, to move swiftly to confirm you in the position of Commissioner, so you can accelerate the accumulation of evidence against these assassinos and prosecute Augusto Pinochet and his cabal of killers. Come on Kenny, let’s get moving decisively and bring these killers to book; too much time has elapsed while these killers continue to roam the island killing more people.
Errol, we are all behind you and hope you will not disappoint Lucians here and overseas, in bringing about the swift execution of justice for the criminals and their victims.