Commissioner of Police Mr. Paul Morrison today received a preliminary report on the way crime is reported and recorded by the RAPF.
The review which started in early July was a collaborative effort between the RAPF, the Anguilla Community College and the University of Surrey England. Joshua Chissell, Joseph Skinner and Morgan Winstanley, Criminology Students at the University of Surrey undertook the research as part of a dissertation over the summer.
The Royal Anguilla Police Force commissioned this review in order to better understand the crimes that are being committed in Anguilla and the performance of the Police in reducing the number of crimes committed.
The Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla police Force stated that his overriding objective is simple: I want to ensure that crime falls, so there are fewer victims of crime in Anguilla.
In order for the police and public to know if this objective is met then crime must be accurately and reliably recorded.
The report which is in its first draft has highlighted the need for greater accuracy in the initial recording of reported crime, the need to separate incidents from crimes and the need for improved supervision and training of officers to alleviate some of the issues surrounding the recommendations.
Commissioner Morrison in receiving the report said, “If we can build on these recommendations we will certainly develop more accurate crime data that benefits the RAPF in its desire to be an intelligence led policing service and by extension the communities of Anguilla through improved allocation of resources to threats”.
Mr. Louden President at the Anguilla Community College said “I found the group to be a very diligent and focused one. The research they have done is no doubt a very important piece of work and the linkages with Surrey University provides link that can continue over time.”
Speaking on behalf of the group Joe Skinner thanked all the participating local agencies and individuals for their over whelming support resulting in the high quality outcome of the project. Mr. Skinner said, “I hope that the project continues when we would have left and it does not stop here.”
The final report is due to be presented in a a weeks’ time. Mr. Louden was presented with a plaque by the RAPF for the support of the Anguilla Community College during the research project.
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
