Several criminal networks dismantled over the past year -Crime Chief Blanhum

Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Wendell Blanhum, has hailed detectives of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Force for an “outstanding year in crime fighting” and the dismantling of several criminal networks in the country.

Speaking at the CID Annual Christmas Luncheon and Award Ceremony, the Crime Chief said although many challenges were faced in the execution of various investigations, the ranks were able to rise above the challenges to complete their tasks.

“In fulfilling our mandate our ranks were confronted with some challenges which were not only limited to our operation but some challenges also encompass sleepless night and long weekends away from their families and friends while performing duties during several high profile investigations. In rising to the occasion to overcome these challenges our detectives across the twelve police regions managed to achieve numerous success by demonstrating a high degree of patience, commitment, deduction and teamwork,” Mr. Blanhum noted.

Deputy Commissioner Blanhum boasted that ranks in the Department are now motivated and he believes that has been reflected in this year’s crime statistics.

He repeated that the country has seen the lowest number of serious crimes recorded this year over a ten year period, adding that the murder rate is also at its lowest in the past decade. Mr. Blanhum noted that this year has also seen the highest number of illegal firearm seizures in ten years, with 178 firearms hauled in by the police.

“Our dedicated investigators have also made significant inroads in dismantling groups involving car jacking—and those criminal elements whose modus oparandi involves targeting customers leaving commercial bank. Our successes can also be attributed to the motivated team of detectives, accurate and timely intelligence and enhance capacity building just to name a few,” the Crime Chief stated.

Blanhum urged his ranks to do better in the new year, making it clear that their efforts are not going unnoticed by the top brass of the Police Force and the country at large.