Cops stretched by crime spike
(CNS): The three murders in Grand Cayman as well as a string of violent robberies in less than a month have stretched resources but Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton said theRCIPS is working hard to continue policing the regular day to day issues as well as dealing with the need to restore peace and normalcy to the community. The senior RCIPS officer said the public could expect to see armed officers overtly patrolling with long firearms and road blocks in a proactive response to the spike in gun related crime. Exercising a zero tolerance policy on the known criminal element and high risk areas, the police were maximising stretched resources and a reduced budget, Walton said.
With the spike in crime confirmed by the latest statistics, which record an increase of more than 33% in serious crimes following a trend of declining figures, Walton said the RCIPS was in no doubt about the concerns in the community. However, he said he wanted to “reassure the public that not only are we thoroughly and meticulously investigating the robberies, we are taking pro-active approach to stem violence.”
The senior officer added that 2013 was proving to be a difficult year for the police, with a significant rise in burglaries, followed by a spate of gun related crime and three murders in just over three weeks. In addition, he said there were some internal challenges for the RCIPS as thirty officers left the service in June and July for a variety of reasons, including retirement or the non-renewal of contracts.
With no specific explanation for the sudden spike in violent crime, Walton said that it appeared to be the nature of things in the jurisdiction. He pointed to a period of relative peace with very little gun crime for some 18 months. However, with the islands not “100% fool proof”, the seizure of canoes carrying drugs, weapons and ammunition demonstrated that the weapons could have penetrated the borders. With no gun smith on the islands, the weapons have to come from overseas but he could not say if smugglers had succeeded in landing any significant shipments in recent weeks.
He pointed out thatas weapons are often shared or used in the same crime, the surge in gun violence didn’t necessarily mean that the island was awash with new firearms.
However, CI Walton noted that the gradual budget reductions since 2009 for the RCIPS meant that money allocated for fuelling the Marine Unit’s boats had fallen from $600,000 per year to $100,000 because the police needed to divert funds to the Forensics Unit during tough economic times. He pointed out that, unlike other police services, the RCIPS had to patrol the borders as there was no defence force or coast guard to do that.
Facing the intense criticisms recently from politicians during the budget debates as well as the broader public, in particular over the size of the RCIPS and the number of officers, Walton defended the service.
The budget, he said, was not $50 million but around $35 million and the vast majority of that went on salaries. He said $28 million was for staff pay and the rest went to utility bills, which the police had to pay like everyone else. He said this left around $5 million to run stations, cars, boats and other equipment and specialist services.
Walton also pointed to the continuing increase in the remit of the RCIPS, as they were required to police new legislation, from the tobacco laws to the latest issues relating to second hand dealers or pawn shops.
Category: Crime
If silly little "gangstas" want to shoot each other there really is not much the police can do. The priority should be to protect the good folk from the muggers and robbers, not waste time chasing after crimes within the gang community.
Our problem is we need to get back our guns. When guns was owned by anyone there wasn't any murders. Can you imagine going to someone's house at night and you weren't invited? You would be stupid and foolish because you knew that person had a pistol or shotgun pointed in your direction.
Two dogs in the yard would track where ever they were like radar. No problem finding your shot.
And that works so well in the US, idiot.
Why don't Mr. Walton put back the dismanteled Drug Squad and Traffic unit. And while at it tell make sure the island has full coverage by CID officers who currently work until 12 midnight and there minimum coverage on week-ends. This is the only place these thing could happen.
We would like to hear Dan Scott, Bridgette Kirkconnell and the previous governor views? Btw where's the commish?
How about they start firing those long guns and make an example out of one of those rude boys. Looks like they acquired all those arms for show and tell. And don't tell me i'm being harsh and thats somebody's child rabba rabba rabba garbage, guns only do one thing and that's kill. If you possess one obviously you are looking to seriously hurt someone or be seriously hurt yourself. These guys see the police with the guns but know it's a one in a million chance of them using them.
350 cops on a small island are stretched. !! These people must spend more time lazing around than civil servents
They are not streched. This is a crisis of leadership. Their style of policing is not a match for Cayman. This stems from the top.
In the economic downturn everyone was asked to do "more with less". Everyone had to except the RCIP and when they got a big budget injection they blew it on equipment (new cars, new tasers, expensive helicopter etc). I RARELY see a cop on the street and NEVER in my neighbourhood. What we need are foot patrols and bike patrols. Get out of your darn cars with the windows rolled up!!!! Enough with the foolishness. All hands on deck!!!
The RCIPS is top heavy. whenever you have 90% of your budget going to payroll and the starting salary is $31,000.00 to $42,000.00 which is an average salary they are having problems with the separation of officers; maybe if we knew how many officers of rank and their speciality in the field we would know where the problems arise. i am used to a policing system that the corporals, seargents, and lieutenants are on the streets fighting crime 1. 8 officers per shift- 6 regulars, 3- seargents and 1-lieutenant and that is the night shift the afternoons are busier but they only have 4 additional officers on duty to work a swing shift and it is rotated every 10 days and this is for a city of 230,000.00 people. yes they do have outside resources but those are also deducted from their budget everytime the counties helo-1 goes up a bill is sent and it is paid when the SRDT(Search and Rescue Dive Team) is contacted it is paid for so the escuse of not having enough resources B.S. they have a problem with management in the upper and lower levelsof the RCIPS. another thing how many armed specialized units do we need all that needs to be done is get all officers certified to use a firearm and if they cannnot qualify put them through training to qualify give 3 chances and if they don't make the grade then pink slip gthey are there to protect the queens interest and the public they must do whatever is neccesary to do both.
Anyone wonder what every happened to the police squad the use to be on the road, think it was called hot spot. I mean they would stop everyone. I have even been stopped by them and complained to be honest, but see now that was a minor inconvience compared to what is going on now. Maybe COP should think about putting them back on the road!
Police Cayman like Jamaica and guess what you end up wit…..
I don't think they were police, I think they were volunteers who liked dressing as paramilitaries.
It was the hotspot team. Those guys were everywhere on the weekends, pulling everybody over, checking everybody out. They had a lot of enemies because they did their job. It was Bobby and a white guy with a handlebar mustache, along with about 6 or 7 other officers. I had an experience with them when I was at a bar on Eastern Ave. and they showed up demanding ID from everybody and suddenly a huge scuffle broke out and they arrested 3 guys in the bar. I found out after that they were called 'hot spot' and from what (multiple) people told me, the bad guys were actually scared of them. I heard that hot spot team was broken up a few years ago but sounds like we need them back.
I think it started in 1972 when a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime which they didn't commit.
Last seen in Santiago, Chile advising the government on neighbourhood community policing.
The community knows who the criminals are.
If locals don't speak up, how can the police help? Take responsibility – it's something so few in the community seek to do. It's always 'someone else's' fault.
If the police didn’t tell criminals where the info was coming from, you may have a point.
Hear, hear, time to tip the police…no such thing as he used to be a good boy and the baby mammas need to stop protecting these low lifes-
Stretched waistlines from too much coffee and donuts more like it. Nearly 400 officers and civilian staff on islands just over 100 square miles in size with a population of 50,000 – you gotta be joking! Where I now live our local force has something like 60 officers covering over five times that area with about 10 times the population and our weekly crime summary (it was emailed to me today) is six minor offences.OK, in fairness to RCIPS we do have major resources to draw on if there was to be a murder or similar major incident but the pathetic excuses being made by people like Kurt Walton would not go down well here. I've seen three of our local officers deal with a major RTC here without getting 'stretched'. Last time I was on Grand Cayman a three-car smash (RTC if you like) on Seven-Mile Beach seemed to require the attentions of about 20 RCIPS officers – doesn't that tell you something? It's all about managing resources and while I see plenty of BS there's not much management evident here. Remember you are dealing with 'retired' ex-pat officers (or re-treads as we refer to them here) so ask yourself this – why did they 'retire' in the first place?
Whenever there is an incident, it seems like there is one who knows what is to be done and another ten standing around watching. I am not sure if they are under some sort of training or something.
If Cayman did not have a murder rate of central american proportions and a local population riddled with muggers and burglars the police would be doing great. The problem is not the police, it is the local population. I am getting into a gated community and limiting my nights out to Camana Bay.
Where is Schwarzeneger when you need him? Lets hope he'll be back. Unlikely if crime rate keeps on going like this!
It is a two way street and the problem must be tackled from both sides. Cayman must stop producing criminals and police must uphold the law every single day!
Somebody from Columbia once told me that it took only one good president to turn matters around over there so people could once again feel safe walking the streets.
Governor/Premier/Commissoner – where are you and what are you going to do?
There are certainly no roadblocks on the ETH speedway on Sunday afternoons as the motorcycles enjoy unfettered use of the roadway at 100 MPH plus. Same time, same place every weekend, takes a real super detective to figure it out. They laugh at the CCTV cameras at each roundabout as they know no one is watching. Once again the solution is to start at the bottom and prosecute minor offences, let them know nothing will be tolerated. Long guns, too funny, get back to the business of policing.
Totally agree…..
I saw cops ticketing a young lady at Fosters for parking in a handicapped spot, and a few more issuing tickets for minor traffic offences.
I am yet to see the cops actually getting tough on the real speedsters, actually catching them and impoundng their noisy, crappy cars and 2 wheeled rice rockets.
Catch the real bad asses first, then deal with the defenceless general public at shopping centres.
Obviously what we need to zero tolerance to fix this crime situation. Yes, I mean from "innocent little lady" parking in the blue spot right up tothe murderers.
Defenseless? Please, it all starts with those so called minor offences. Crack down on everyone. If ti is against the law, it is wrong! When police starts been serious with people like you that think it is "not too bad" to park in the handicapped spot, or running over the side walk to pass the car waiting to turn right (because you are not patiente enough) and many more minor things. To me it is simple: You brake the law, you are traitor to this country of ours. Maximum punishment. Do not get confused, if you are on the phone while driving, you are braking the law then you arenot such a decent person after all. Good habits are much better than law. When morals go to the wayside, discipline is the key. We are all good all the time. But we are better when we are watched.
Police should have spent more time on the minor things years ago before the ones doing the "minor things" turned to bigger things the way it is now.
If I were a Police officer, I would give tickets left and right until the moral improves!
BREAK
BREAK THE LAW
BREAK
"How long have you been driving without a tail light?" asked the policeman after pulling over a motorist. The driver jumped out, ran to the rear of his car, and gave a long, painful groan. He seemed so upset that the cop was moved to ease up on him a bit.
"Come on, now," he said, "you don't have to take it so hard. It isn't that serious."
"It isn't?" cried the motorist. "Then you know what happened to my boat and trailer?"
Killer comment!!!!!!!!
I hardly ever see police – ever – but when I do, I want to get away from them as quickly as possible. The criminal element on the other hand knows that it can move around freely, and does. So the police 'show of force' is just going to intimidate the law-abiding public and achieve a net loss in co-operation and support. It would be more useful if all of the officers gathered in Heroes Square and shot themselves in the feet each week.
Criminals generally want to get away from the police as quickly as possible…
I'd like to see some traffic enforcement officers deployed to keep streets unblocked and help protect the thousands of sugar-crazed children that descend annually on Snug Harbour on Halloween night. There are dozens of vehicles that seem not to know what happens that night and race through the area, or creep along texting with no lights on. Last year one kid was bumped by a texting driver with no lights on – it wouldn't take much for there to be a more serious accident one of these years. Parents, please carpool or take a taxi, and watch your kids, don't assume other parents are watching them for you!
Never let a good crisis go to waste.
It’s about time for Caymanian Citizen intervention, we need to band together to put a stop to this. I say it’s high time to start neighborhood watches in each district as well as volunteers to patrol the streets and report on suspicious activity as a start. We can no longer rely on the RCIPS even they are saying they can’t stop this without our help.
Is anyone with me ? Talk is cheap
BS! if 350 officers cant control the population of 50,000 we should scrap the entire system and start taking matters into our own hands!
Where is The Commissioner
He always do this. Create a mess then hide behind the curtains and get the Caymanian to come out and speak for the service. The commissioner needs to come out and make a statement our is it he is not competent to do that. Come on commish if I had my way you would be sacked yesterday. Just do us the favor and resign and leave quietly, bon voyage.
The PC has made plenty of statements in the past with the combined effect being the square root of F…A..
When's his contract up?
Sadly, Baines came to the islands with an impressive record on paper but a police background where his position had always been back-stopped by an elaborate PR structure so he's never had to go head on with the public, the media or local politicians before and he can't handle it. His attitude to the press is a disgrace and the same goes for many of his ex-pat senior officers.
Only thing stretched is our frigging budget paying these jokers and giving them all this money and equipment every time they come crying about crime. This has turn into a sick little game where crime mysteriously escalates according to them and they coincidentaly show up with a list of all the things they need and want including all these "specialist" from abroad who are costing us millions. More Crime More Money and all we get is More excuses. They have obviously gotten more desperate nowdays because the Caymanian lackeys have now been put at the forefront to ask for more. What mess this place is in???
Commissioner Baines please tell us what $32m gets us a year other than rise in crime and more violent gun play? no more excuses do your job or step aside for somebody to do it better
stretched? lol. roadblocks and stop checks are all well and good. but just like window tint etc etc wtc . after two weeks they just stop again and head beack to wendys and on the run gas station for coffee etc etc . zzzzzzzzz. sorry but we need amuch more dynamic police force
The only thing that needs stretching with RCIP is their legs. Get cops off their butts and out of their cars on the beat. What a useless bunch.
Fire 50% of them as most are useless, corrupted or don’t care. Why we have a force of 600 officers and compared to Liechtenstein who have 90 with zero crime go figure? Kurt I know you and proud that we have a capable Caymanian yet the buck stops at the Chief and he needs to leave. Give the qualified and deservedly Senior officers a basic salary of $65-80, 000 a year, armed them and guvey them the necessary resources to do their jobs. Take them away from being traffic cops to yraining them to combat crime. The AG also has to to be removed as he’s useless and collecting $150K a year for what?
So the Police has a budget if $35 Million. Criminals haven budget of $300 Million…. Cayman wake up. These crimes are part of a bigger picture. This is not just isolated incidents. There are people overseas orchestrating the disobedience here in Cayman and it will get worst.
Criminals in Cayman are coming better organized and the drug lords and dons overseas will eventually start using Cayman on a large scale because they know the governments of the day are corruptible and the police no matter how big they swell their forces will never be enough.
400 police officers?? Hahaha some of these cartels have 4000 mercenaries. 4 boats of trained killers from Columbia would wipe the entire police force out and this island would be pitched into chaos with about 2 weeks to burn this place to the ground before the UK or the USA could get here to reinforce and bring order. 400 police and only about 40 of them carrying guns or with access to guns. Kill those off and the cartel has 360 sitting ducks.
Cayman what I am saying is an extreme scenario but it could happen.
if the police are going to get a grip of crime the unfortunate truth is that many of you must be prepared to lose family members because it is our own causing crime and WE KNOW WHO THEY ARE. Yet we remain silent and blame everyone else. We tolerate the fact our family member is committing crimes yet take to these forums to talk about our disgust in the rise of crime. We cannot have it both ways. If we want crime to stop we must be prepared to lose those in our families causing the trouble.
I have a cousin and I know he is a criminal. I have gone as far as to threaten to call the cops on him and since then he avoids coming around me. I have talked to the police about him and they know him quite well. So in future if he ends up dead or in prison it will come as no surprise and my heart is satisfied that I tried.
To the police we need you guys to be proactive. But this starts from the top and unfortunately the top does not have what it takes. The Police Commissioner here is British and operating under a British structure and style of policing when the island is as Americanized as it can get. We have British styled police service in an American style country. It makes no sense and that is where the first correction needs to be. We need to replace the CoP with an American Commissioner. I can guarantee their style will wake people up. You will see more raids and stop and search. More undercover officers making arrest and officers on the beat. Bring in a Commissioner from LA, NY, Chicago or better yet Texas where the sign says DONT MESS WITH TEXAS!! Bet you on the roads here you will see a sign saying DONT MESS WITH CAYMAN!!
Yes, because US cops have had so much success against gangs and mass shootings in the states. Wake up, this is NOT the US, and never will be.
The COP is hamstrung by local politics not a so called 'British style of policing'. I come from a town in the UK that has a similar sized population as Cayman, and we don't have anywhere near the scale of problems that this little rock is experiencing. Trust me, Brit cops have no problem using firearms or any other effective crime fighting tool when its needed, but what do you think would happen if local gang bangers were shot on the streets by RCIPS officers.
Suddenly it would be oppressive policing, racism, shoot to kill policies or just plain 'they're picking on the Caymanian's'.
Whilst I agree that the police service here needs a root and branch overhaul, and officers need to get out of their vehicles and interact with the population. I don't agree that we need another Granada, we don't need US 'special forces' pumping themselves up and storming another insignificant rock in the cause of 'freedom and liberty'. Look how well that's panned out across the world.
The reality is, if we ever needed such force, (and we don't) a small team of UK specialists would easily take down a few stupid kids who think they are something special. And the Royal Navy are constantly patrolling the Caribbean should it be necessary.
The nightmare scenario referred to is just ridiculous, of course foriegn criminals utilise Cayman's geographical position, they've been using its banking system for decades.
No, foreign forces, from where ever they may come, are not interested in Cayman, there's nothing here for them. The banking sector would just simply transfer business electronically and the Pepper Jelly makers would hide the recipe. I'm sure tourism wouldn't be high on their agenda, so we can discount a sudden surge in Columbian themed hotels. Drug cartels are far more complex, they prefer to use local businessmen and politicians to facilitate their odious dealings.
But all of this is completely unnecessary, the tactical firearms unit of the RCIPS are more than capable of dealing with these over tattooed, over self medicated, under achieving morons from the local community.
What we really need is the will at a community level to make life for criminals uncomfortable, that means giving them no quarter and reporting all illegal activity. We need to become proactive and not reactive, we need to look out for our neighbours and take responsiblity for our property and behaviour. The police obviously have a part to play and they're not playing too well at the moment. However these people come from our community and it should be for the community to reject their unsociable activities.
Well, the UK style of policing is doing something right. Perhaps its the Cayman style of community living and social behaviour that's wrong, and of course the default position that its always someone else's fault.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24566994
They’re stretch to the max because more than half of the rcip are not doing nothing beside driving up & down on their shift! WE NEEED OFFICERS THAT WORK & EARN THEIR HUGE PAY CHEQUE! GT
Stretched to the absolute limits of ineffectiveness perhaps.
I hear the substation at the Hut was even broken into. I can understand the culprits taking it for an unoccupied building as it has been all but abandoned for years.
I am confused. What was the purpose of the CCTV cameras again? Yeah. To assist the police in crime watching. So I am very puzzled. With all the cameras we got in buildings, on buildings, on light poles. Why then are we not seeing media released photos or videos? Trust me. This island too small for someone to not recognize them. Even if it’s something small like the way they walk. They’ll get recognized. Our Police are hiding behind this privacy bullshit and they need to start making us more aware of who is who and what is what. I don’t want to be standing in line when some wanted robber comes walking in. Get them of the streets. Someone knows them.
Even when images are released, the upstanding, law abiding Cayman Citizens very rarely come forward and assist. Many people within the community know who is responsible for these gun related murders, but do they come forward – even anonomously or take advantage of witness protection programmes? No they don't! So before you start to criticize all and sundry, look within your own communities and speak up as opposed to remaining silent!
Silence is golden in some instances expecially if you know that you will be killed. These young thugs are deadly and they will wait for however long it takes to get rid of you. The word is that the last three killings are reprisals for earlier murders. This is really dumb but thugs don't care. Unfortunately the system cannot keep them in Northward forever and when they are free their reign of terror affects the community.
Would you come forward with information, knowing that in many cases the police has acted very unprofessional, screwed up evidence or the legal dept could not seek a conviction? Here in Cayman you have nowhere to run and hide and I would not count on the police to protect me or my family. I have been a victim of crime and I have witnessed the police work first hand……….and let's just say, it will take a lot to restill my faith in the RCIP and seeing police in action EVERY DAY! Then perhaps I would consider to pass on my suspicions…………
And therein lies the problem 08.25..police have lost the publics trust and therefore do not say anything. However if public does not say anything, situation is even worse..
I've heard a recent story of some waverunners that were stolen mid day from right in front of the owners house. The only ways that they could have been towed out were past a camera on either side. When the police were asked why the camera footage wasn't used to identify the criminals they were told that they were understaffed so didn't have the ability to look at the footage. So if they won't use it when it would have possibly very easily solved a crime whats the point ?
Stretched
Well with as much officers and equipment RCIP has they should be like the energizer bunny.
Mo money, mo money, mo money! We had no idea that crime was up! Might want to hire some of them locals to avoid the mass exodus like what happening to them 'after getting a tan and can claim diversity I going home' people.
Stretched?? With 400+ police officers, how can resources be stretched?
I agree, they are stretched. With the mental capacity of some of them it is no wonder they are incapable of keeping on top of things. Perhaps stretched is an understatment. If there is anything that we should learn from the RCIP, as with other instances in the past, throwing money at the problem does NOT WORK!!!!
For real. I'm a law-abiding Brit and I can honestly say the RCIPS are frightening!
Both Kurt and Malcolm are great investigators and true crime fighters to the bone. I worked with them for many years and together, we solved many complex and challenging cases. I'm so happy that I got out of the RCIPS when I did, as I saw this day coming, clear as crystal on the horizon.
The Cayman Islands did not get to this worrying point overnight, it started around 2005, when the leadership of the RCIPS disconnected itself from "true crime fighting" and pissed around with the UK style of policing. It just didn't work and cannot work in the Cayman Islands. Not only is this to blame, but the UDP government back then, never really supported the police as they should have. We had only one vessel to patrol our borders and stinking/dirty post Ivan police cars to patrol in. Today, we have about five vessels, a helicopter, more police cars parked at the station than officers on shift, officers from all over the world and we just can't seem to get crime under control.
Burglaries today, are like thefts of bicycles years ago. Today, it's crimes against the person such as Murders, Attempt Murders, Robberies and other serious assults.
We had an incident of Abduction for money not too long ago, well expect more of this in the very near future. Extortion of businesses will also be coming, so get ready for he Don's.
Want to change things in Cayman ?? Then hire persons like Ex-Chief Supt Renato Adams to lead the RCIPS. Give him a two year contract and watch the criminals run like pussy's into the sea.
That is exactly the problem with the police long guns and road blocks, being seen as a police is not the way to trick criminals , out think these punks stop letting them out think you rcip.
Non renewal on contract mi arse??? I would feel shame to admit or it is a disgrace to even say no specific explanation for crime! A national disgrace, when prediction models & formulas were prepared by the DTF Intel unit & Crime Collaters office where crime cycles and spikes could be established and strategies employed to deal with such problems, But alas came the career development inept and corrupt crew with their speeches an advancement agenda who would not know about such things because they spent their time underming and scheme their way forward rather than doing police work getting law degrees whilst other were out there doing what they were paid to do fighting crime. Oh but now look how far they have reached but dont have a clue of what to do or how to deal with this terrible crime situation and expecting to full the place up with their foreign advisors and henchmen and specialist to reflect the diversity of the community (Best piece foolishness i have heard in a long time) who promised to lead to them promise land only to find out they are only here to make Money$$$$ whilst Cayman slips into a Coma paralyzed by crime all we the society keep hearing are disgusting and very sickening excuses from their greedy leadership extorting and playing mind games with crime & employment opportunities to get more money from our dwindling budget and their loyal fools in our government. Oh well lets not blame the poor old over paid Police now after all its the criminals who see no law and order nor order in law. You can fool some of the people all of the time and those are the ones you want to concentrate on! RCIPS is complete and utter failure and is and exact mirror image of those who lead i now.
Zero tolerance on the known criminal element, except those committing pension fraud, and immigration fraud, and health insurance fraud, and …
You have lost control!
When Raib Welcome was tough, what did you all say about him? The police can't win, can they? But you know what, it's society that is the problem. Police need evidence from those who who have direct knowledge of criminal activity. Which of you out there is willing to provide it? I heard someone the other day criticizing the police while at the same time boasting that they were not going to tell them what they knew. How do we ever expect things to get better?
Having ANY tolerance above ZERO is what has led to this problem.
Too tolerant at home. Too tolerant in the schools. Too tolerant with prosecution.
Commit a crime while in posession of a concealed fire arm…..manditory 10 years.
Openly show the fire arm while committing a crime…….manditory 20 years.
Discharge a fire arm while committing a crime……….MANDITORY LIFE SENTENCE !!!!
Zero tolerance, and swift and meaningful penalties are the only way out of this mess.
How about the death penalty for the worst crimes! It will get rid of repeat offenders. It will reduce the need for larger prisons. It will reduce the number of law enforcment officers needed. It will save the public millions. Cayman will be a safer and better place to live. And I guarantee you it will reduce crime!
yes 07.48…just like it did in the States- just remind me, how well did that work out for them? And given the comments on here about RCIPS and the judiciary, would you want them involved in getting you a death sentence? I think not…first up would be all those who wrote criticisms on here..
16:45, It worked wonderfully for stopping those repeat offenders. None of those executed ever committed another crime! The problem here is that the do-gooders don't want it. Maybe some of them will change their minds after they've been robbed or shot a few times. Or not……..
But it doesn't prevent new offenders, people still get shot, it makes no difference at all.
The punishment for murder is life in prison, yet there has been many, three in the past few weeks. Unlicensed firearms carry ten years, yet they abound. When the penalties were much lower some years ago we had less crime. One could therefore conclude the penalties were not the deterrent. More likely, outside of the change in the criminal mentality, the real deterrent was that the chances of being caught and prosecuted were much higher.
Increased penalties may keep criminals off the streets longer, but it makes no difference if the criminals are not being caught and prosecuted in the first place. It will only serve to fool the law abiding citizens into thinking our representatives are doing something about crime when in actuality it’s no more than Window dressing. Proof – the mandatory ten years for unlicensed firearms had no effect on the problem.
Change police leadership and policies to deal with existing criminals, and deal with the social issues to reduce the number of future criminals.
We need a new CoP!
What they need are plainclothes policemen who present themselves as a target for the muggers.
And if you put plain clothes police out there, what are they going to do? If the robbers are armed with guns it would make no difference as the police would be able to do nothing!!!!
Drum roll please ………..the latest RCIP lipservice public announcement. Ok so they have 5 million left to drive cars etc. 28 million in salary? If most goes to budget the paycheck then why do we have so many. What he is saying is that the Officers are sucking up most of the money, that they need more people to pay, and that since we are paying them so much there really is not much left over to fight crime. This is a total mismanagement of funds. We would do better with a smaller and more diligent service then the bloated numbered thing we have today. Sorry Chatlie but we afe so poor speech is getting really old. If proactive policeman were in place we would be in a better situation. Now we will have a surge of armed uniformed men with rifles setting up what is ostensibly check points on our roads. They go from one extreme to another.
Not related to specific ? Please- the same people in power know WHO the kingpins are and need to get some balls. Look around… That "business" never has ANY customers yet the owner seems to be doing well -money laundering and hiding behind a respectable family . Look ya close, your neighbor is not lily white
Kurt, I respect you. But stop with the "reduced budget" stuff. We are tired of the Police Commissioners going on about this. David Thursfield moaned about not having enough cars even though Bodden Town Police Station regularly, day in day out, had six sitting outside doing NOTHING. I complained about it at the time -no reply. He also got more officers for the beat after griping about that. Kernohan within days of being appointed got more men, cars and a helicopter. We are swarming with police. What we need is BETTER policing not more policing.
Cops ? What cops ? You hardly see any nowadays. 450 employed, probably 20 doing speed checks, the other 430 pushing paper, drinking tea, playing dominoes. If only more were out patrolling the streets, maybe crimes wouldn't happen so much.