ASP Pierre: Police still challenged despite improved detection rates

Pierre was addressing reporters at the Police Administration Building at Sackville Street, Port of Spain during the police’s weekly media briefing which focused on its mid-year review for the period January 1 to July 30.

Pierre said for the period under review, there were 251 murders - an increase from 229 for the same period last year. Despite the challenges however, Pierre said the police remain committed to improving it’s detection rate through different initiatives and programmes.

“We also continue to work with communities and other stakeholders through our town and station council meetings to increase awareness, reduce crime and improve our detection rate.” Pierre also commended the Eastern, South Western and Tobago divisions for their performance and commitment to increasing the crime detection rates above the international standard.

“For this six-month period, there has been an overall 30 per cent detection rate for serious crimes which is in keeping with the international benchmark for crime detection.

Three of the nine police divisions met and surpassed this benchmark, namely South Western, Eastern and the Tobago divisions with detection rates of 59 per cent, 47 per cent and 37 per cent respectively. F our of the nine divisions have now gone above this mark namely South Western and Eastern divisions improved their detection rates to 64 per cent and 57 per cent respectively.” In addition to the improved detection rates at these divisions, Pierre also said there has been a marked decrease in the incidence of violent crime in the Port of Spain Division from 1072 reported cases last year.