Limited manpower, an increased rate of murders, a lack of forensic science technology and inadequate resources are some of the difficulties the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force had to contend with before coming out from what a senior police officer describes as a “very successful” year.
“We really tried to do the best we could with what we had,” Deputy Police Commissioner Cyril Carrette told Dominica News Online in an exclusive interview.
Although Carrette acknowledges the police force functioned with limited resources, he said they did not allow this to hinder their progress. Nonetheless, that problem is expected to be addressed.
“We do have limited resources, we have our limitations, but we do not allow that to mar the progress that we have to make in the event that we have to perform. You would say we have limited man power and that we’re trying to ensure that we increase the manpower. Recently the Prime Minister mentioned it … we have recruits coming out from training. So while the recruits that are coming out from training in January are going to be a small droplet in the bucket, but it’s going to make a difference, you’re going to see more police officers on the street,” he said.
Thirty-five persons were recruited to join the police force in 2009; however three were sent home, which brought that number to 32. These persons are still on training.
Beefed-up security
There was a recognisable heightened security at festive events like Carnival activities, Creole in the Park and World Creole Music Festival. While this deterred some individuals from engaging in illegal activities, others were caught with illegal drugs and offensive weapons.
On the first two days of the LIME Creole in the Park six youngsters were arrested and others cautioned for attempting to enter that event with ice picks, knives, screw drivers, nail files, scissors, lighters, matchboxes and cigarette wrappers. In one incident a young man tried to escape and had to be subdued by a cadet corps assisting police officers.
“If you had gone to these events you would have noticed really there was a significant presence of the police. You would check the World Creole Music Festival, Carnival, we had beefed up security. Remember, the incident in Grand Bay where somebody got killed is only after everything had died down. Things passed relatively quiet in Grand Bay [for Carnival].
During the Christmas season we had more police presence on the street. We devise a strategy where we take people from different sections and ensure that we get the work done,” Carrette explained.
The 2009 general elections was also “well policed.” Carrette believes police officers exhibited dedication and diligence especially during the busy seasons.
Crime and murder rates
As compared to 2008, the Deputy Police Commissioner clarified there was no upsurge in crime, rather there was an increase in the number of violent crimes.
Earlier this year, former Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore was taken to task by members of the general public when he told the media that the statistics did not reveal an increase in crime.
Carrette has denied allegations that the police were “manipulating” the crime statistics. “Persons thought that the police were manipulating the statistics. Why would we do that? We did not ask anybody to manipulate anything,” he asserted.
According to Carrette, violent crime is the manner in which people try to settle their differences, and instead of reporting it to the police they use an offensive weapon to attack a person.
The crime statistics of the Criminal Investigations Department indicate a marked increase in the murder rate. In 2008 there were seven murders and in 2009 there were 13.
There were two cases of manslaughter in 2008. Police statistics show no cases of manslaughter up to November, 2009; however, in recent weeks Ricky Angol, a Grand Bay native previously charged with the murder of his father, had his charged reduced to manslaughter.
In 2009 there were no reported cases of abortion, concealment of birth, infanticide, child destruction, incest, going equipped to steal, assault with intent to rob and child abandonment.
Where violent crimes are concerned, in 2008 there were 84 cases of grievous bodily harm as opposed to 59 this year. There was a slight increase of six shooting with intent cases in 2008 to 10 in 2009.
The statistics show there was one abduction in 2008 and two this year, and six kidnappings last year with five in 2009.
Burglary in 2008 was at an all time high of 1019 cases, but in 2009 901 cases were reported. In 2008, three aggravated burglary incidents were reported and four in 2009. The robbery statistics show 71 in 2008 and 75 in 2009.
Seven major theft incidents were reported for 2009, while there were five in 2008.
“The law creates certain offenses in categories. For instance, you have theft; there’s minor theft and major theft, depending on the amount of money let’s say somebody would steal or the value of things that somebody would steal. So, if somebody would steal something worth $10,000 or less you could take that person to the Magistrates’ Court, but according you would take that person to the High Court. With regard to drug offenses it can be tried both summarily and indictable… you would have to ask the individual where he wishes to be tried … indictable matters are those matters where you have the evidence being given at the Magistrates Court where you have a Preliminary Inquiry and then it’s taken to the High Court before the judge,” Carrette explained.
More challenges
The Criminal Investigations Department arm of the police force is still working without advanced forensics technology which impedes them in their line of duty, Carrette told Dominica News Online.
“We don’t have that capability … In the days gone by the manner in which we conducted investigations it is difficult to do it now… Most times with some of the serious crimes you do not have eye witnesses but if we had the use of persons who could collect DNA, for instance, then that DNA could be tested … that would assist you tremendously. Sometimes we have eye witnesses and they don’t come forward,” he explained.
He also sees a need for the improvement of certain legislation which could facilitate police work.
This year was an extremely difficult period for the police force, Carrette said. Carrette, who was assistant superintendant for the Northern District replaced Hobbs Jno Baptiste as deputy police commissioner following Mathias Lestrade’s exit from the post of police commissioner. Jno Baptiste is now acting police commissioner.
“I have sat in this chair for the entire year; I cannot tell you what happened in the previous years. But it was a challenging year, it was a very, very challenging year, and we were really kept very busy. It’s only now you’ll observe that there is a little degree of quietness, but Carnival is just around the corner … we had to really stretch ourselves very thinly. We managed, in spite of all the challenges we overcame, and I think we’ve succeeded most of the things we wanted to do,” he stated.
Next year, the police force expects additional training for current officers and to recruit more persons to become police officers.
Carrette commended the public for their support and co-operation with officers.
(Edona Jno Baptiste/News Coordinator)
We all know this Lester…The Question is,will those witnesses be protected? I am all for our citizens speaking up,but they must guaranty them total confidentiality…I live in NY,if I were a criminal and someone spoke up against me,I know I’d try to find, and eventually induce revenge on that person or family member.Please understand how the Criminal mind works.
IT IS TIME FOR OUR POLICE MEN TO STOP PATROL WITH
NIGHT STICKS AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS THEY NEED
TO FIGHT THOSE GUYS WHO COMIT CRIMES AND THINK THAT THEY
ARE UNTOUCHABLE. OUR POLICE MEN NEED BULLET PROOF VEST
to HAHAHAH: THE COMMISSIONER NEVER SAID IT DOH HAD ABORTION HE JUST SAID THAT NO CASES OF ABORTION WERE REPORTED SO HIS STATS CANNOT BE WRONG
The OECS should look into regionalising the police force.
there are several police officers in the united states who are trained in areas that the CDPF could use. im not sure how difficult it would be to locate such officers and their departments and ask if they could volunteer their services. I am a police officer in the U.S who is from Dominica and would volunteer if asked.
Forensic science is the way of the future…..Step on it Dominica….
I support the police totally, but “going to see more police officers on the street,” he said.
Street of where??? Roseau yes
But not GrandBay. All that’s ever done there is sending police to G-bay to relax and have kids.
That has to stop. The police need to instruct it’s recuits and potential recuits that the game has changed. No more shall young people just join the force because they only need a job. There needs to be renewed determination and committment because crime has, and is going into a new unprecidented and more serious ball game.
You can recuite and send 100 new guys that merely want the ease or foot in the door towards traveling to the U.S or getting a green card, or just a pay check and it won’t put a dent in the serious state of crime looming.
The police in Grandbay are not required to patrole, AND THEY DON’T. So many guns, and there no unannounced or unexpected raids designed to keep illegal gun owners in Grandbay on their feet and nervous and hiding. They are all comfortable and cocky knowing they have carte-blanche run of the village, at the dismay of community folks.
And doe give them the lame excuse that people don’t want to talk or give info. People in all countries are not forth-coming fith info on gun runners and murderers. It’s left to the procecuting folks to investigate, secure crime areas, take forensics, interview people, the whole nine yards. No where should investigations be stopped because of the excuse that people will not talk. YOU HAVE TO ADD SERIOUSNESS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT!
Peace people, PEACE and LOVE!
hmmm i think the abortion topic should have been left unsaid
The OECS has just opened it’s first forensic lab in St.Lucia and I think it’s really going to help especially cost wise, we have to do our best to keep the money circulating within the OECS, we shouldn’t have to go outside to get an education, for medical reasons, etc…. The little ones have taken off.
The reporter who wrote this, did an excellent job.
HAHAHAHA, the manner in which you have brought out your point suggests that you are aware of some unreported crimes and offenses, but have somehow withheld such information from law enforcement officers. Should you reports those incidents of crimes and offenses and be will to assist in it’s investigations, i am sure that you will bring an improvement to the police forces detection rate, thereby paving the way for more successful convictions in the courts.
I am myself into law enforce. In compiling our statistic, we can only speak of reported crimes and offenses. While we may be aware of the many incidents of crimes and offenses committed on a daily basis, if the matter is not reported, where a complainant requests police assistance, or someone wishes to assist the police with it’s investigations, it is almost pointless. Many are times when incidents of crimes and offenses are reported, but somewhere along the way the complainant somehow changes his or her mind, where they no longer wishes for any further police involvement in the matter reported and fails to cooperate with officers.
I must commend the CDPF for their hard work , we are quick to lay blame on them, when things go wrong. We must also recognized when they have gone the extra mile.Our Government must provide these dedicated men with the tools to serve and protect its citizens.
Where is the priority in fighting crime?…. The USA, UK and Canada send officers to african countries to teach them; the how to in forensic sciences , why don’t we asked them for assisitance in that area, its not going to cost the Dominican tax payer a dime.
This take so little effort, and in todays, society, to hear our Police talk about limited resources it a joke. Past administrations, has talked about providing the police with the tools to do thier job for years, its seem to me we are chasing our tails, going in circle over and over again.
The new Minister for National security should stand up and be counted in the new year, do something defferent and better. Let the people see it, for we all know action is louder than words.
Enough, is enough, lets take back our country from these rascals, who are bent on causing people to sleep with one eye open and one close every night, Let the police take the fight to them.
DID YOU SEE THAT, NO CASES OF ABORTION! AND THATS ACCORDING TO WHAT STATS