RVIPF rolls out crime-mapping technology

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has rolled out a system in which crime in the British Virgin Islands is mapped based on the geographical location where it occurs.

The interactive mapping platform will produce various data including the type of crime, its frequency, the specific location, and CCTV footage where applicable.

According to the RVIPF, the mapping platform will make intelligence-gathering and crime-analysis easier, quicker, and will allow officers to make “better proactive decisions”.

The police further said the technology “places much of the details necessary to equip officers when responding to an incident at their fingertips”.

The mapping system was rolled out during a presentation at the police headquarters on Monday. The technology is the brainchild of the RVIPF’s Systems Manager, Sergeant Claude Rymer and he received high commendations from Governor John Rankin who has portfolio responsibility for policing.

Police Commissioner Michael Matthews was also happy with the roll-out.

“The best departure present I could receive as Commissioner is this new interactive platform. It will modernise how and when we use our limited resources and will assist the Force with operational deployments, and identify crime hotspots for drugs and firearms. This will substantially boost the Force’s crime-fighting capability,” the Commissioner said.

The Department of Town & Country Planning is credited for developing the geographical base for the platform while the programmer and developer on the project is Troy Dawson from the the Government Information Service.