Barbados police fight crime with technology

Mr Brathwaite explained that the Pro Mat system was fair and allowed police to provide eight individuals of similar build and characteristics to an accused person.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday February 3, 2012 – Victims of crimes in Barbados can soon identify their attackers without having to come face to face with them.

And charges of police brutality during interrogation will also be harder to prove as the Royal Barbados Police Force prepares to roll out new state-of-the-art technology to record such proceedings.

This will all be possible as police implement devices such as the Cardinal Peak CaseCracker and the Promat system, both designed to bring a higher level of transparency to the interviewing of suspects by lawmen, and the identification of suspects.

And the country’s Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite has promised that amendments to the legislative framework to govern its use will be in place within another six months.

He added that the equipment will be installed at five police stations initially, but noted the intention was to have all stations outfitted.

The Pro Mat system will allow police to show victims of crime photographs and videos of headshots to allow them to point out their attacker. It is mobile and can be transported to victims in hospital or those who are unable to go to a police station.

Mr Brathwaite explained that the Pro Mat system was fair and allowed police to provide eight individuals of similar build and characteristics to an accused person.

But he said there were still some kinks to be ironed out with the Pro Mat as it relates to getting people to volunteer their photographs. “We have one or two challenges from the point of view that not enough suites are readily available,” the Attorney-General said.

As a result the new technology will only be available for serious crimes in the initial stages.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oral Williams explained the CaseCracker involved the use of two cameras, both placed in one room, with one focused on the entire room and the other on the suspect. The interview of a suspect by police in the presence of their attorney is recorded.

“When the interview is finished you can play it back and see exactly what transpired,” explained Mr Williams. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)