Notwithstanding the progress which has been made, to date the key to yet further progress in combating crime lies in the hands of the public. Unless we are told about a crime we can do little about solving it, or preventing a similar crime in the future. Without witnesses, we are often handicapped and so too are the Courts. In no circumstances do we expect the public to take risks the Force will do that if necessary - but we do expect a positive response – if only a 999 call. Tell us and we will react promptly and effectively.
P
Crime prevention itself is, in most respects, a public responsibility. Care should be taken at all times not to provide criminals with the opportunity to commit crime. Remove the opportunity and there is no crime. During the year the Police initiated a number of drives to this end, and this policy will be continued in 1978.
It is regrettable that towards the end of the year a number of officers in the Force felt their grievances, some imagined but some of which had an element of foundation in fact, were such that they must be aired publicly. In the main they centred around activities of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and came to a head with a number of large meetings, mainly among junior Police officers including one at Police Headquarters and a subsequent disturbance at the offices of the ICAC. Criminal and disciplinary pro- ceedings were taken against all those persons who could be identified as having taken part in the latter incident. Much of the pent-up emotion was dispelled in November by an announcement by the Government of a partial amnesty for corruption offences but, perhaps equally important, moves were made for the formation of a Junior Police Officers' Association to represent the views of the Rank and File on welfare matters, conditions of service etc, which
had previously been done by the Junior Consultative Council.
There can be no doubt that these events revealed certain weaknesses in communications and other factorsing, not least, from the rapid and very widespread expann of the Force over recent years. The community as a whole, under- standably, expressed concern that discontent might lead to an abrogation by the Force of its responsibilities and a consequent breakdown of law and order; I am pleased to say that this did not take place. The public was never left unprotected and the vast majority of Police officers firmly pledged their loyalty to the Force and to the use of con- stitutional methods for making their grievances known. Powers of summary dismissal were conferred upon me – I have not had to use them and I hope I never shall. The Force is now performing its duty in an exemplary manner and it is the wish of the overwhelming number of its per- sonnel to do everything possible to completely re-establish its standing in the eyes of the community.
In summary, notwithstanding fairly formidable obstacles and growing pains experienced in the course of the year, the Force measured up well to its responsibilities, and significant steps have been taken to improve its effectiveness. This is underlined by the improvement in the state of law and order, which compares very favourably with many other countries, in this region and elsewhere. The expan- sion of the Force, bringing with it an infusion of
young and better educated officers, bodes well for the medium and long terms. Likewise, the updating of systems and the greater reliance on scientific and technical aids will ensure that we are not left behind.
We look forward to many challenges in the coming year, but we do so with quiet confidence.
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Sia
Brian Slevin Commissioner
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