The Assistant Commissioner Crime and Intelligence, of the RSIPF, Ms..Patricia Leta has said alleged instigators of the recent riots in Honiara are yet to be arrested.
Responding to questions asked during a press conference, Ms Leta said the National Criminal Investigation Department of the RSIPF is still investigating that matter.
“Investigation is continuing as we have to ensure we have evidence before we can make an arrest”, Leta said.
Ms.Leta also confirmed that the recent arrest of local businessman, John Kwaita is also related to the alleged November 2021 unrest.
“However, I will not comment further on that at the moment”, Leta said.
In regards to the number of people targeted in their investigation, Ms. Leta said she will not reveal the number of people under police radar as investigations is still continuing.
Source. Island Sun newspaper.
Comment
I commented most recently on the suggestion of restoring the RSIPF’s (better) capability of intelligence gathering and sharing with the government, as was the situation in the years when the RSIP had a capable and efficient Special branch trained by police officers in the UK Special Branch.
I do not retract from my earlier remarks and feel the RSIPF might have been better prepared for the recent civil disorder and would have had better insight into the perpetrators of the rioting if the kind of intelligence the Special Branch once provided had been available to them
These days’ police officers are equipped with body cameras in many external police organizations and surveillance cameras strategically located help police monitor crowd activity and assist in identifying suspects.
The use of surveillance cameras is not welcomed by everyone and seen as an infringement on civil and personal rights, but there are those that take am opposing stand and argue on these lines.
Quote.
Law enforcement agencies are continually seeking new technologies that hold promise for enhancing their public safety efforts. Among the latest generation of such public safety tools is the use of public surveillance cameras. The theory behind the utility of public surveillance systems for crime prevention purposes is that potential offenders will refrain from criminal activity if they know they are being watched and believe they are at greater risk of apprehension. Cameras may also increase perceptions of safety among law abiding citizens, encouraging them to use public spaces and serve as informal guardians and potential witnesses. Advocates of cameras also theorize that their surveillance capabilities can enhance criminal justice system efficiency by alerting police of crimes and potentially dangerous situations as they occur and providing crucial information that can help police determine the safest way in which to respond.
Video footage documenting criminal activity and identifying perpetrators and witnesses may also aid in investigations and prosecutions, increasing police and prosecutorial efficiency, benefiting crime victims whose cases are able to be closed through the use of video evidence, and incapacitating a greater number of offenders from committing future crimes.
End of quote.
Source. Baltimore Police (Evaluation) Report.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
