Swift justice is being advocated as an essential crime fighting strategy, but the man who heads the Royal Bahamas Police Force has acknowledged that cooperation among all partners responsible for the administration of justice is required.
Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson made the declaration as the hierarchy of the Police Force was preparing to release crime statistics for 2005.
Last year, there were 52 recorded homicides, a whole slew of armed robberies committed against citizens and businesspersons and heinous acts of witness tampering, according to police.
Mr. Farquharson urged a quick dispensation of justice particularly in relation to armed robbery cases.
“When you look at what is happening and who the armed robbers are, they are multiple robbers.
“They go in the system, rob you today, go to court get bail tomorrow, and day after tomorrow they come out and rob [again] and there are many of those armed robberies that are being committed by criminals who are out on bail,” Mr. Farquharson said.
Proposed amendments to the Bail Act were being circulated for comment.
Attorney General Alfred Sears had explained that the government wants to expand the category of criminal offences where bail would not be considered under normal circumstances while balancing constitutional guarantees.
Another proposed amendment to the Bail Act would make Supreme Court justices legislatively bound to consider input from psychiatrists or social workers before making a determination on a bail application.
The Bahama Journal has reported that bail was granted to more than 120 people charged with murder and more than 160 armed robbery suspects in recent times.
These accused were released over the last five years because the courts failed to try them in a reasonable time, the Journal discovered.
After being on remand between 18 months and two years, a suspect is usually released by the courts on bail.
Police officials acknowledged that in 2005 armed robbers appeared to be more daring, committing more robberies in broad daylight with bolder techniques.
But there was also a ruthless element as at least one employee was murdered while attempting to disarm a robber and foil the attack.
Mr. Farquharson admitted that he was “disturbed” about the amount of armed robberies that occurred last year.
“I am arguing the point that if someone commits a serious violation as armed robbery, that person should be made to go through the system quickly and deal with it, assess the evidence that is being presented by the police and have that matter disposed of,” he said. “In 2006, I want to work solely with my partners in the criminal justice system.”
By: Tameka Lundy, The Bahama Journal
