Acting Police Commissioner defends police against Sir Robin’s criticism

The Acting Police Commissioner, Atlee Rodney, has defended the police force for its performance in addressing criminal activity following criticism from Sir Robin Yearwood over the increase in praedial larceny.
The Parliamentary Representative for St. Phillip’s North and farmer heavily criticised the police force during a parliamentary debate on the Dog Registration and Licensing Bill 2018 last week Thursday.
Sir Robin expressed concern that there have been increased complaints by local farmers over dog attacks on their livestock and crops. He also said that he had lost a small ruminant while the ears of others had been bitten by stray dogs in his community.
The veteran politician lambasted members of the police force for being lazy, and he called on the police to “get off their chairs”.
In defending his colleagues, yesterday, on OBSERVER AM, the acting top cop suggested that the police cannot be expected to address the issue alone and farmers must also work to prevent praedial larceny by properly securing their animals.
“We are saying that it is a partnership. We have a responsibility to provide that level of protection and patrol the area. [But] farmers also have the responsibility to securing their animals better,” he said as he pointed out that one farmer could not account for a number of his livestock but, the animals fortuitously returned a few days later.
He questioned the practice of some farmers, who allow their animals to roam outside of their farm.
“Is this the best way of raising these animals in this modern day?” he asked before adding, “We open our pen, we let them go and expect all of them to come back faithfully.”
He continued: “By exposing them on the road, sometimes we give the opportunity for some crimes because persons are seeing them and believe that they can knock down one or two, put it in their vehicle and drive away with it.”
The acting police commissioner further stated that an increase in the number of reports of praedial larceny has led to the police increasing patrols in the eastern region of Antigua, particularly Coolidge and Parham. 
He renewed the call for the public and other stakeholders to assist the police in reducing opportunities for praedial larceny.
“It is the responsibility, not only, of the police or the farmers, but also the general public. We should not be encouraging buying animals from persons who do not own animals,” he said.