Resource challenges hampering Hanover police

WESTERN BUREAU:

The police in Hanover say that efforts to contain murders and other serious crimes are being undermined by a variety of issues, including lack of resources.

"We are trying to police the parish to the best of our combined abilities, but hurdles are being put in our path every step of the way, and the general public does not know that," a senior officer told The Gleaner on condition of anonymity. "The situation is quite difficult."

According to the officer, they started 2018 with the resolve to see a reduction of the record 61 murders committed in the parish last year, but the challenge of lack of resources is undermining their ability to carry out proper policing.

Additionally, the closure of the only functional remand facility to detain male prisoners in the parish has significantly limited their capacity to detain persons. The police post in Bustamante Square, Lucea, is used for female detainees while the facilities at the Kingsvale Police Station are used for juveniles.

The facilities at the police divisional headquarters, which has become unsuitable for housing prisoners because of its terrible physical state, were closed in July to effect repairs and refurbishing work. One small holding area was left to accommodate persons overnight.

Initially, the plan was that the lock-up would be out of service for two months, during which time prisoners would be sent to the Barnett Street Police Station in Montego Bay. However, the two months have elapsed, but no details have been provided as to how soon the lock-up would be ready.

"On several occasions, operational activities have been planned and had to be called off as the matter of transporting criminals to and from Montego Bay had to be given preference," said the lawman. "You cannot put any young constable to transport and accompany some of these seasoned criminals, so operations have been called off at times to facilitate these transfers.

"To be honest, it is difficult to fight crime under these challenging conditions, so I am just hoping that the authorities will move swiftly to get things in order," added the police personnel.