National

Complaints Against Officers Increased by 40 Percent In 2023

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – 2023 police crime statistics revealing civilian complaints against police officers saw a 13% increase that year, going from 170 in 2022 to 192 in 2023.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 16, 2024

Berthony McDermott

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – 2023 police crime statistics revealing civilian complaints against police officers saw a 13% increase that year, going from 170 in 2022 to 192 in 2023.

Meanwhile, internal police complaints ballooned by 121% going from 58 in 2022 to 128 in 2023.

Corruption complaints also saw a 29% increase. 2022 had seven complaints while 2023 had nine.

Of the civilian matters, the crime stats revealed 59 of them were unfounded or had insufficient evidence.

Ten were informally resolved and two cases saw officers convicted or resigned.

Five ended in civil action while 14 are pending trial.

The police commissioner says it’s important the public knows the force is with them and not against them.

Internal matters saw 22 convictions and eight acquittals – three were withdrawn, one ended in resignation or retirement and one was unfounded.

Forty-nine are still under investigation and 37 are before the tribunal.