PNP admits increase in crime rate

THE National Police admitted on Friday that crime incidence has surged during the past five months compared with the same period last year, but added that this was mainly due to the correct reporting done by police commanders.

While admitting the increase in the number of crimes, the police leadership said that the crime solution efficiency has also increased as compared with the same period last year.

Based on the statistics released by the force’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), a total of 289,198 cases were recorded for the period of January up to May this year.

The figure is higher than the 245,347 that was reported for the same period last year.

However, while the number of crimes increased, the DIDM said the National Police posted a crime efficiency solution of 49.25 percent during the period, higher than the 38.56 percent that was achieved during the first five months of 2013.

The DIDM said the increase in the volume of crime was mainly due to the correct reporting of police commanders, who veered away from the practice of misreporting or underreporting that was done in the past.

The underreporting of crime had already resulted in the relief and filing of charges against police commanders during the past several months.

The DIDM said the “under counting of crime” was made owing to policies “giving pressure to chiefs of police to maintain a low crime volume and high crime solution efficiency.”

It also said that local chief executives have pressured chiefs of police to maintain a good image for their towns and cities.

On the other hand, police stations also have varying practice as to how they would count crime and offenses involving and women and children are not counted or included in the number of crime.

The DIDM said that last year, the country has a total crime volume of 631,406. Out of this number, 110, 045 cases were solved or reflecting a 27.71-percent crime solution efficiency. — Rene Acosta, Businessmirror