Police record drop in sex, homicide cases

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 17 October 2018, 12:00AM

The Ministry of Police has recorded a significant drop in sex offences and homicide cases, though there has been a dramatic increase in narcotics cases. 

This is according to the Ministry of Police 2017 financial year compared to the previous year. 

According to data released by the Ministry of Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, there is a reduction in crimes relating to sexual, homicide, assault, burglary/theft and public safety offences.

“However, a dramatic increase in two performance indicators – narcotics cases and crimes against property recorded in this reporting period,” stated the report.

The report stated that in 2016 there were 50 sex cases investigated and this dropped to 48 cases last year. In 2016 a total of 50 homicide cases were investigated and this decreased to 36 last year. There was also a drop in public safety offences from 72 cases in 2016 to 30 last year, stated the report. 

Furthermore, a total of 67 assault cases were recorded last year unlike in 2016 when there were 120 cases. 

There was also a minor decrease in burglary and theft with 262 cases recorded in 2016 compared to 237 cases last year. However, for drug cases in 2016 there was 12 cases which dramatically increased to 138 cases last year. Crimes against property experienced a similar spike with 48 cases recorded for 2016 and compared to 234 cases in 2017. 

The Ministry of Police report further stated that the C.I.D. is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to ensure prosecution briefs for Supreme Court cases are prepared and witnesses were available for court hearings to ensure successful prosecution of cases that are of a concern to the community.

In terms of domestic violence, the report stated that the Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for the administration and implementation of the Family Safety Act 2013. 

“This unit assists families affected by violence and works collectively with relevant stakeholder partners to prevent ongoing violence affective victims and vulnerable members. It is also responsible for issuance of Interim Protection Orders and serving of Protection Orders issued by the Family court,” stated the annual report. 

The report stated that there were 543 D.V.U. cases investigated in 2016 and which dropped a year later to 293. 

The assistance provided by the police for protection order application in 2016 totaled 213 and dropped to 132 last year. The D.V.U. were also able to execute 204 protection orders in 2016, which decreased down to 136 last year.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 17 October 2018, 12:00AM
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