Ealan vows to destroy gangs
Published:Tuesday | January 25, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
As the police continue to implement strategies to further reduce the country's crime rate, the new head of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ealan Powell plans to improve the relationship between his detectives and the public while he hunts for the assets of gang bosses.
"Some of these criminals cannot afford the type of weapons and ammunition that are in their possession. Where they get them from? Well, we are going after the source," said Powell, who was a member of the Accelerated Promotion Programme.
Among his immediate priorities at this time are dismantling gangs and going after the wealth of gang members through the support of the Proceeds of Crime Act, as well as providing feedback to persons who have reported incidents of crime.
While not disclosing his strategies, the 29-year veteran of the Jamaica Constabulary Force lamented the high number of local gangs. Up to Sunday, the police force's weekly crime statistics revealed that of the 69 murders reported since the start of the year, 24 of the victims were killed in gang-related incidents.
Major crimes down
With the exception of larceny, of which there were 32 cases reported up to Sunday compared to 21 for the same period last year, the weekly crime statistics also indicated that all major crimes were down when compared with the figures for the corresponding period last year.
The police have for some time been complaining about the lack of witnesses coming forward, which has prevented investigators from closing their files in a number of cases.
Powell, who once headed the Police Traffic Division and served in the CIB, intends to address this problem and is inviting members of the public to call him at 816-3318, 960-1617, or 968-9951.
The police officer, who last week took over the reins of the CIB from ACP Les Green, said he plans to improve the investigative capabilities of the detectives.
His comments come three weeks after Police Commissioner Owen Ellington mandated divisional commanders to make efforts to significantly disrupt the operations of gangs in their areas.