A recent FOI response by the RCIPS has revealed a shocking number of 582 persons wanted for outstanding issued warrants of arrest dating back to 2000.

The breakdown of the numbers are:

2000 – 1

2002 – 2

2003 – 4

2004 – 16

2005 – 3

2006 – 42

2007 – 52

2008 – 42

2009 – 8

2010 – 46

2011 – 32

2012 – 36

2013 – 57

2014 – 169

Jan – Feb 2015 – 72

Among the persons wanted on outstanding warrants are those charged with serious offences such as:

Attempting to obtain property by deception

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm

Possession of an offensive weapon

Threat to kill

Cruelty to a child

Soliciting bribe

Possession of cocaine

Theft

Burglary

Wounding

Making a false representation

Failure to appear in the Grand Court

Grievous Bodily Harm

Damage to property

Indecent assault

Attempting to obstruct the course of justice

Possession of imitation firearm with intent

False accounting

Assaulting a Customs officer

Handling stolen goods

The majority of warrants for arrest relate to traffic offences from driving while intoxicated to parking on a yellow line.

A local attorney has recently called for the decriminalization of minor offences which was echoed by the Commissioner of Police as it relates to ganja for personal use.

In the case of at least one known individual dating back to 2003 convicted of dealing drugs they is an inexplicable absence of any warrant for arrest although it is common knowledge he has fled the jurisdiction.

Superintendent Adrian Seales of the RCIPS indicated that further queries are being made to determine which warrants relate to fugitives.

No responses to these revelations were received from the Premier as head of the portfolio of Home Affairs, the Attorney-General as head of the portfolio for Legal Affairs or the Commissioner of Police who is on unannounced leave.

Government has discontinued a practice of public notices when senior officials are on leave and identifying those who act in their stead with the exception of the Deputy Governor who consistently provides this information by email replies.

IMAGE: www.rileycountypolice.org