Police record low homicide solving rate in decade 2012-2023

by Eldonté Samuel

The police in St Vincent and the Grenadines have not had the most impressive record of solving incidences of homicide over the decade ending 2023. In fact, available data shows that of the 450 homicides recorded between 2012 and 2023, the police solved 156, a clearance rate of 35 per cent- or ratio of 7 of every 20 killings.

The data indicates a troubling trend of increasing gun-related murders coinciding with law enforcement facing significant hurdles in making arrests and solving cases.

In 2014, police solved 21.62 per cent of the recorded 37 murders. Of these homicides, 27 were gun-related, with only three being solved.

The following year, 2015, the number of homicides remained the same, 37, however, 28 of these were gun-related and the police solved five.

In 2016, the number of murders surpassed the count recorded in 2014, reaching a total of 40 cases- a record. Police solved 37.50 per cent of homicides in that year when there were 29 gun-related murders; only six of these were solved.

The following year, 2017, the homicide count remained at 40; and there has so far been a 32.50 per cent clearance. That year there were 28 gun-related killings; five have so far been solved.

In 2018, there was a slight decrease in gun-related murders and the police efforts to solve them also was low. In that year, there were 34 murders, 22 of which were gun-rated, and two of them were solved.

In 2019, the police successfully solved 47.37 per cent of all homicides.

In 2020, there were 33 murders, 14 of which have been solved, which works out to a 42.42 percent clearance, while 19 remain unsolved. That year, the police were able to solve five of the 18 gun-related murders.

In 2021, of a total of 32 homicides, 10 were solved, leaving 22 unsolved, resulting in a 31.25 percent clearance rate for that year. Twenty one of these murders were gun-related, and two were solved.

The murder count of 42 in 2022 set a new record since 2017. In that year, the police were able to solve 21.43 percent of killings, but only one of the 28 gun-related homicides has been cleared.

The highest number of killings reported in the decade was in 2023 when there were 52 homicides. The police so far have solved 23.08 per cent, or 12 of the 52 homicides. Those related to firearms was a record 43. So far, the police have been able to solve five of these gun-related murders from 2023.

The lowest number of murders recorded over the last decade was in 2019 when there were 19 killings, 11 of which were gun-related; three have been solved.

In 2012, 2013, and 2015, the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), had a higher percent clearance rate of homicides. In 2012, they enjoyed a 57.14 per cent clearance rate where 16 of 28 murders were solved. In that year, there were 12 gun-related homicides, of which five were solved.

The following year, 2013, 69.23 per cent, or 18 of the recorded 26 homicides were solved by police; two of the 10 gun-related murders were solved this year, as well as all knife stabbing, and chopping deaths that were reported that year.

The year 2015 was the final year within the last decade when the police had a homicide clearance rate in excess of 50 percent when 60 per cent, or 15 of the 25 homicides were solved. Eleven of these were gun-related, and four were solved. The police continue to emphasise the importance of the co-operation of the public in investigations that may lead to the solving of crime, including homicides and those that are gun-related.