Police statistics show radical decrease in crime
Not since those long ago days when Jorge Espat was Minister of National Security, was the public made privy to the vital statistics on crime in Belize. And while for years the conventional wisdom has been that serious crime is running ever more rampant, figures produced today by the Police Department at the request of News 5 show just the opposite. Assistant Commissioner Maureen Leslie this afternoon released the tally for major crimes in 2002 and thus far in 2003. In all categories: murder, rape, robbery, burglary, and theft the incidence is down–way down, in some cases close to thirty-percent. And the trend is not just in the districts; even the so-called crime capital of the nation, Belize City, also shows a significant decrease in all categories except one. News 5’s Patrick Jones sat down with the Assistant Commissioner for an explanation.
Maureen Leslie, Assistant Commissioner of Police
“For murders for 2002 we have eighty-seven and for 2003 so far we have had sixty-three, with seven days more or less to go. For rapes, we have had fifty-four countrywide for last year and for this year so far we have only had forty-five. Bearing in mind Patrick, these are reported cases because we have had cases where people for whatever reason don’t want to come forward, so these are reported cases. For robberies, which is only of the most high profile, we had five hundred and seventy-one for last year and we had four hundred and seven so far for this year countrywide, another decrease. And then for burglaries, home invasions, we had one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-eight last year and so far we have had one thousand five hundred and sixty-three.
“Usually we have the seasonal activities. We are into one right now, the Christmas season. The Christmas season means that we have more robberies; we may have more thefts from motor vehicles, more thefts from homes, so more burglaries, because the criminal elements out there they want to make money and they don’t want to work for it. So around the Christmas season, around the September celebrations, around Easter time, around agricultural time these are when we see an increase in some of the crimes we spoke about, the major crimes.”
“Crime impact on people. So I could say we had only one murder for this month. But if it affects your family it’s a big thing. And apart from that somebody died, so it is a big issue. But statistically, remember we deal with the figures on one side and then we dealing with human beings on the other side. So where human beings are concern you will get a deeper feeling of crimes being on the increase because people will talk about it. And people will vent their feelings about crime, even if there is a decrease.”
Patrick Jones
“You say that crime is down. The statistics prove that. How does the police reconcile the cold hard facts with the human side in the equation.”
Maureen Leslie
“This is one of the reasons why we had our town meetings, so people can really understand what policing and controlling crime is all about. And I think when they really understand the role they play where crimes are concerned, then they can better understand increases and decreases coming from the Police Department where crimes are concerned.”
Patrick Jones
“As a senior officer in the department, are you satisfied that the police performed the best they could have given the circumstances in 2003?”
Maureen Leslie
“2003 was a very interesting year for us. We had elections and we had other commitments. The officers who are working, at least for Eastern Division, they are very dedicated people, they are very committed people, but I am not a perfectionist, but I still believe that we have room for improvement and this is where we are moving along towards.”
Patrick Jones
“Looking back at 2003, do you get the feeling that this was a bad year for the police in that a record number of your officers have found themselves on the opposite side of law enforcement.”
Maureen Leslie
“I am not sure if it is the worst year, but I think with the–you heard the Commissioner talk about the no-nonsense policy where police officers are concerned, we are enforcing that. And because of that every officer who a report is made against is thoroughly investigated. And at the end of that investigation if he is found to be at fault then he is dealt with very swiftly. We are not hiding anything.”
Patrick Jones
“What does it do for the image of law enforcement when the very people sworn to uphold the law they break the law?”
Maureen Leslie
“It affects us. It definitely affects us. But bear in mind that even though we are trained people, we are still human beings and we make mistakes. Unfortunately, in the Police Department you make a mistake you find yourself either in the courts or out of a job.”
Patrick Jones
“Is policing going to get better in 2004?”
Maureen Leslie
“It should get better. Every year is a different year, but policing more or less remains the same except that we adjust to suit the seasonal activities, but it should get better. We have some trainees coming out shortly, I think next month and those officers should be strengthening the various formations, including our formation here. So I think, I can’t see it getting worst.”
Patrick Jones
“Do you believe that the police still enjoys the confidence of the community?”
Maureen Leslie
“Yes. People keep on asking me that and I still say yes. Based on the calls we are getting, based on the reports we are getting against police officers, people have faith in the system that we will do the correct thing, we will do the appropriate thing.”
Leslie told News 5 that she appreciates the hard work and dedication of all her officers at Eastern Division during the five months of her tenure as commanding officer in 2003. She wishes all police officers and the Belizean public a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
