Assistant Commissioner of Police, Errol Strong (right), Security Attaché Jamaican Embassy, Washington, D.C., holds the attention yesterday of Deputy Commissioner Owen Clunie during a press luncheon at the Police Officers' Club, Hope Road, St. Andrew. - Dennis CokeWITH 711 people in Jamaica killed by knives, machetes and ice-picks during the last three years, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes is solidly supporting the Government's push for the enactment of the Offensive Weapons Act.
The Commissioner said the public should support any move to prevent persons from carrying offensive weapons in public places or on public transportation.
Offensive weapons are defined in the law as "any article made or adopted for use for causing injury to the person or which is intended by the person having such article to cause such injury.
Commissioner Forbes said yesterday that since the start of this year, knives, machetes and ice-picks had been implicated in 257 murders.
He told journalists at a press luncheon that, despite an increase in murders, there was a two per cent reduction in major crimes. He pointed out that there was an increase in reprisals and domestic murders.
"There is also a significant decline in gun-related murders," said Commissioner Forbes.
He said that two years ago, 608 persons were slain by the gun; last year the figure was 547 and so far this year it is 529.
According to the Commissioner this reduction was occurring against the background of the police force operating 1,000 short of the establishment almost daily this year.
He disclosed that the Jamaica Constabulary Force had acquired 20 sniffer dogs which were being trained by experts from Colombia, and who are already training the dog handlers.
Responding to questions about the involvement of police with illegal drugs, the Commissioner said there was a problem with the police and their involvement in drugs, but said "it is not all that bad".
He said the police would always be a target for narcotics smugglers and there were a few who were weak-minded who fell prey to the smugglers.
