Premier promises cops all the cash they need
RCIPS Superintendent Robert Graham (left) and Police Commissioner Derek Byrne at the Scranton public meeting
(CNS): The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is expected to receive a boost to the annual budget this year after the premier promised at a public meeting last week to properly fund it and the police commissioner said the RCIPS was in a growth phase. Government will be funding a new Community Beat Unit, which will include 28 beat officers, a sergeant and an inspector, to address calls by the community for dedicated officers in their neighbourhoods.
Although Premier Alden McLaughlin made it clear that simply throwing money at the police was not the solution to the crime problem, he pointed to the need for community officers, who are always the first to be moved to a different department when there is a crime surge. He said the police had to have the resources they needed and he did not want to hear people complain about public spending when the police budget is increased in the forthcoming new government spending plan, which will cover 2018 and 2019.
“This has been an issue for years,” McLaughlin told a small audience at a community meeting in Scranton last week, where the people repeatedly urged Police Commissioner Derek Byrne to allocate dedicated officers to their neighbourhood. “As soon as a community is allocated a beat officer, they are reassigned to other duties and the communities are forgotten.”
With a directly funded dedicated unit that will see communities allocated a specific officer, the goal is to build better lines of communication and to engage with people, especially those living in areas with a high crime rate. Both McLaughlin and Byrne said that Scranton could expect to see a dedicated beat officer soon.
But even before he established the new beat unit, Byrne wants officers on patrol to get out of their cars and walk about and engage with residents, saying too many police spend too much time in their cars. He said he wanted his officers to engage in “meaningful and purposeful conversations with residents”, not just a passing hello, to help them understand the day-to-day concerns and build trust. He appealed to people, in return, to engage with the police when they see them and tell them what they know about criminal activity.
Category: Crime, Crime Prevention
OK then. A Big issue yes, but RCIPS is heading for a wrong solution.
Why not hire the decorated local community policing pro – Officer Miguel- to train and lead Local Special Constables ie. District Beat Officers, men and women who know the street people by name and face, as well as all the streets and backroads ?
The RCIPS is no different than the Department of Education Services. They went for the cheap labour and are now suffering the consequences.
As regards Education, it was Roy Bodden and Oswell Rankine who wanted what you refer to as cheap Labour all those years ago when they wanted to break Cayman free of the colonial cultural tyranny of the U.K. teachers and bring in West Indian ones who would understand Caymanians and their culture better.
And that has worked so well…..
Cheap labout so they could pocket the difference and give themselves raises.
Dear Alden, (and PPM, and CDP, and successive governments),
Throwing all the money in the world toward policing the societal fallout of YOUR MISGUIDED AND FAILING POLICIES will NOT solve the problem.
You are an epic failure Premier Alden McLaughlin – as is the rest of your administration – past and present.
The evidence of what has become of the beautiful Cayman Islands is all the proof needed. This happened under YOUR WATCH – now you want to essentially call on the UK government, by way of the FCO and RCIPS leadership, to fix the problem?!
You are a disgrace and an EMBARRASSMENT to the Cayman Islands. You DO NOT represent Caymanians like myself who have been advising – publicly, privately and directly – against the most destructive of government policies.
However, you are the PERFECT STOOGE for the FCO as due to your ignorance, lack of self-respect and self-identity, and longing for approval from their side of the fence – you have become exactly what the puppet-masters originally envisioned.
The Cayman Islands went from a beautiful and myth-busting anomaly of jurisdiction in terms of race, culture, stability, wealth, living standards, safety and tranquility to basically being on a fast-track to any given “inner city” area.
“First world” citizens rejected their nationalities and fought to become Caymanians, in search of a better life – which many found – while, due to woeful leadership, Caymanians became increasingly sidelined in their own island paradise.
However, what else should we expect when we have Premiers that boast about “never been away from Cayman for more than 2 weeks of my life” as if that is a positive as the leader of such a jurisdiction.
No Mr. Premier, that makes you a SITTING DUCK for the hunters we have lurking in our swamps.
I am honestly sickened by the reality that an individual so inferior in terms of understanding and interpretation of the world is the Premier of my beloved Cayman Islands.
Anyway, the take-away point of all this is; you are EXACTLY the man they wanted for the job.
Why do you think that is Alden?
– Whodatis
*P.S. I know you know who I am now – so feel free to pull me to the side when you see me.
** (Excerpt from post under previous news report):
“1. We criminalize and convict young, marijuana-consuming Caymanian males.
2. We have a record of successive sub-par education system.
3. We have a shamefully low presence of vocational training on island.
4. There is ZERO SYNERGY between the industries of our economy and the preparation of OUR OWN PEOPLE therefor.
5. We have created an undeclared 3RD INDUSTRY of work permit revenue.
6. Said 3rd industry contributes in a major way to the removal and absence of opportunities for our young adults.
7. Government policies have effectively led to the mass importation of poverty.
Dear Premier,
The 7 points above not only represent reasons for the current state of affairs but also issues that can be addressed by legislation and government policy.
Just trying to be of some help.
– Who”
HEY who, don’t you think that you should be man enough to put your name on what you write. Your credibility and the good suggestions you make are both severely tarnished by your lack of cojones. Our constitution affords you the freedom of expression use it and stop hiding, you are not doing the country you appear to love and care to love dearly any good by hiding behind WHO?
sincerely
john smith
Ok, Mr. “John Smith”.
Thank you for leading by example.
– Who
P.S. Do you have anything worthwhile to add to the issue at hand – or is your existence limited to stalking and insulting Whodatis?
Don’t mind Who. He’s a Chagos islander with daddy issues.
Hi Datisme,
Do you have any Holocaust jokes to go along with your extensive catalogue of Chagos comebacks?
It takes a special kind of despicable human being to conceive and express the sentiments you do on a regular basis.
However, it is your culture at the end of the day … as evidenced by the crimes of humanity committed by the British state upon the victims you so eagerly rib on this forum.
Judging by the theme of posts here on CNS – it is clear that primitive and degenerative culture prevails.
– Whodatis
Mostly led by you, Who…
So stand for election and fix it Who…problem is a minority of 3 voters see your issues and know that you are not the fix either…under you Cayman would become independent and die the death of the Bahamas and Jamaica..and no-one wants that..no-one. BTW, the RCIPS leadership is Irish now.
Should we then assume you are in support of the current state of affairs and wish to see a continuance thereof?
I trust you are content to live in a country with an ever increasing rate of unemployed locals and accompanying level of crime?
I guess you welcome an increasing portion of government revenue being spent on disenfranchised families?
Somehow I doubt only 3 Caymanian voters would support an effort to address the 7 points I forwarded previously.
(Btw, CNS is perhaps the worst online forum to gauge the feelings of local Caymanians – who happen to be prime concern.)
Truth is, my stance is the nightmare of individuals like yourselves who would dread the day it becomes commonplace.
People like you don’t wish to see empowered and independent-minded Caymanians.
Unfortunately for you, our numbers are growing and the dinosaur, colonial-shackled minds of our current leadership are being gradually put out to pasture.
As for your tired, scare-tactic reference to Jamaica – an agricultural economy that gained independence OVER 50 YEARS AGO (from an inherently racist colonising power with an agenda to guarantee the future ruination of every non-White former colony*) – I say; get a grip son.
In every sense of the term, and by every economic measure – not to mention periods of time – that is a comparison of apples and doorknobs.
Anyway, I am not expecting our exchange to result in any common ground so I am backing off with no hard feelings.
You have been conditioned to think the way you do so I’ll end by referencing the reported words of Christ on the cross; “Forgive them Father … (you know the rest).”
– Whodatis
*Don’t get mad at me – get mad at history. It is what it is.
I agree with providing more resources to the police but that will not solve the problems particularly when the prosecution department refuses to prosecute the people the police arrest. There is no accountability in the DPP. They only prosecute a tiny percentage of the criminals and the criminals count on that. Alden, you much put in place a system of strict accountability for the DPP otherwise you are just wasting our money.
So most of the incidents are just cultural misunderstandings? Now your getting to the root of Cayman Islands many problems. Caymanian culture breeds disrespect for laws and the welfare of all other people. But here it is a sacred thing that must be allowed to live free and proud. Cayman culture against the modern world! Stand proud behind your pirate kings. The world does not stand a chance.
The lock up behind central must be empty again.
Hopefully the money is put to the real need for recruitment of new officers and training for current and new officers and not for pay raises as has been done in the past.
In typical Alden fashion, let’s throw (lots) of money at the problem and hope that it will fix itself.
How’re those schools working out, Alden? What are we at now, $240mil?
The RCIP is OVERSTAFFED as it is. If you don’t believe me then do some homework.
BOTH the RCIPS & the public in general need a strong dose of discipline to set this island straight.
MONEY won’t fix anything without policy and direction.
Whilst there are clearly areas for improvement (traffic, gangs etc, although they are having a good go at that now), I think the main issue is that the RCIPs is now expected to be a social service too, sorting out matters that are not really their because the proper agencies either do not exist (mental healthcare), or are too lazy or have no experience to do what they are supposed to do..
There is an excellent mental health service in Cayman. Just no long term facility and that is being addressed
Great, and when they catch all these idiots where do you propose to keep them all? On the beach? Northward is full and falling down, human rights will soon close the place so better invest there too mate , wasting my time I know but need to say it,
Sounds just like a third world problem. So is Cayman a third world country?
You must have not examined the state Her Majesty’s Prison Service in the mainland UK recently.
I strongly suggest you do.
In fact, just Google “UK prisons” right now – then sort by “News”.
Enjoy.
– Who
I agree with Commissioner Byrne 100%. Also just pulling over and talking to so many of these guys on the road who looks so idle and suspicious, also one can see those whos here walking around without W Permits that could have gained illegal entry. Its very scary to see some of these guys. There is a highly respected in the Communities who is very respected. He is known by so many for his firmness but also by his kindness. He is really a concerned Leader. He is always concerned why the kids are not in school or why this young man or girl is not working. I am not aware of his full name but its something like Lazarus which suits the person. I believe that he is Indian. That is certainly a true cop, while being nice he is very firm. The Premier needs to be commended for supporting the Police but the emphasis needs to be with the young kids. We have perhaps lost this generation and prison is not the answer but more responsibility lies with the parents. Service Clubs and churches can perhaps assist with the guidance of these children. It dosent cost a lot to have one of these kids in your house on a week Sunday or week end and have a nice meal sitting to the table after attending church. Come on Cayman let us concentrate more on raising our kids.
What about money for other law enforcement departments?
Port Authority, DOE, Animal Wefare, etc……all desperate for cash and equipment.
Better policing not more policing is needed. I told Thursfield that years ago when he kept on bleating about not having enough cars and men and there were five cars sitting outside Bodden Town police station nearly every day of the week and you could hear the dominoes from outside. For a fairly peaceful…not crime free….place we have an astonishing police presence and they are, alas, pathetic.
I hope it helps as after I was assaulted by a weapon bearing man in South Sound and called 911, after 45 minutes no one turned up, so I left.
They just have so much work to get to that they need more help.
Really, just what will that do?
WHAT??!! FOR DOING WHAT???
Well, per the CNS headlines, I hope that RCIPS will promise the Premier and the Country firm results in return! Under the failed Commissioner Baines, RCIPS received huge wads of cash and new equipment, yet their delivery rate was poor. While Deputy Commissioner Ennis was acting (before Commissioner Byrne can on board and while he was on vacation) RCIPS crime fighting soared. However, Commissioner Byrne has now requested more resources. The Premier must must ensure that he delivers and the public and the media MUST keep Commissioner Byrne and RCIPS on their toes!!
lets get some English police back on the beat, they are the best on community policing. lets get caymanians ,or the English.
the other day I was in town and a jamacian police was talking to a tourist, who asked him a question that visitor could not comprehend a word that police was saying. we don’t need that.
we rae a british territory, not a jamacia federation. too many of one nation police here, and they are jamacians
If they can integrate with Caymanians fine, but that is a long shot as history has proven otherwise.
Were r the local beat officers?
cashhh…. or should we say component officers who know the law and will enforce it…..
I hope half of that money goes towards their gender equality training program, because they let women off the hook for the same things that they would arrest men for far too often.
Same thing for certain nationalities who are targeted..but others are driven home.
Mr. Commissioner, please hire cops from CAYMAN or the U.K. We have enough people from These Caribbean countries, that are only here for the money and don’t give a crap about keeping Cayman a law abiding society.
Well said.
existing cops need to work harder and smarter. end of story.
This news is so refreshing to hear that RCIPS is to receive a boost to their budget. This will enable the extra Police officers to be put in place within the community. Hopefully, this extra help will combat the ever increasing crime that is current on this island and the residents will see what an effort RCIPS are making. However, it’s not just extra boots on the beat, law enforcement still need contribution from the general public in order to maintain a safe environment to live. I firmly agree that Officers should get out of their vehicles and interact with residents in different areas of the island. Let’s show people that RCIPS can be trusted, and to be confident in coming forward with that important information so necessary to put these criminals behind bars. Let’s all work together people and get this beautiful island back to as it was and a country to be proud of once again.
Why did they give the greay former Officer Miguel the boot, but not the beat?
If that photo with the officer on the left does not sum up the RCIPS then nothing does.
That’s the first thing I thought when I saw the headline photo, too funny
If the RCIPS want to increase their public credibility, they need to focus on reducing the response times of their 400+ officers from 20-30mins to under 5. That is the crux of the PR problem and has been for years. It’s hard to understand how having a cup of tea with an affable beat officer (on foot) is going to improve response times. This initiative also makes no contribution towards absent Traffic Policing the community has been calling for – over a decade and counting! Know the problem and fix it!
Get out of their cars? In that heat?