A new study by Sergeant Chaswell A. Hanna of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has revealed alarming murder trends over a five-year period. The report was complied in an effort to reduce the occurrences and improve detection and conviction rates.
Hanna, part-time lecturer at the College of the Bahamas, presented “Reducing Murders in the Bahamas: A Strategic Plan Based on Empirical Research” at a recent press conference.
“The study is a comprehensive analysis of local murder incidents that occurred between 2005 and 2009. It illustrates trends in time, locations, victims, suspects, motives, detection and conviction,” officer Hanna said.
“The study also includes a comprehensive review of literature on homicide prevention and ways detection rates can be improved,” he added.
Hanna is currently attached to the Strategic Policy & Planning Branch within the Royal Bahamas Police Force. His previous publications include “Homicide in The Bahamas, 1991-2003: A Descriptive Research Study.”
His newest study includes a “murder reduction strategy” which proposes new police tactics, policy adjustments, legislative amendments and community-based programmes to combat specific types of murder in the Bahamas.
Sgt Hanna will present his findings at the upcoming Research Edge Forum, hosted by the College of the Bahamas, at Chapter One Bookstore from noon until 1:30pm on Friday.
The book is available for download at the RBPF’s website www.royalbahamaspolice.org.
