In Barbados, victims of crimes, and even of the most serious of crimes, are asked to identify their assailant whilst standing in the same room as them. This is absolutely unnecessary and only serves to cause further emotional and psychological pain to the victim.
This happened to me, where I was asked to identify my belongings in front of the man who broke into my house. More recently, it happened to a friend. She was asked to identify the man who attempted to rape her via a police line-up, where she stood in the same room as her would-be-rapist (with no warning to her that the procedure was thus) and was asked to point him out. She left further distraught.
It’s a shame that so many victims have been traumatized to date by the police with respect to something that can be so easily fixed. Improving police identification procedures is something that can have an immediate and positive impact, and can be implemented with about $500 and a new procedure written up.
Additionally, police really do need training on how to treat victims of crimes - particularly, women. The experiences that I have heard women share, with respect to how the police have dealt with them is mortifying.
I do hope that this idea can be considered and implemented. I would be willing to donate what I can to the costs of constructing an identification room at the Central Police Station.
Regards,
Michelle Hustler - CITP/FIBP
Michelle Hustler - I am outraged that we are using these kinds of methods. Isn't the police supposed to protect and serve?
Why do we have procedures from the middle ages is beyond me. Privacy, protection, and trauma are only a few things to be considered here when dealing with a victim. Respect is the least that we should show our citizens. Especially by the police. I have heard other horror stories about investigations which never lead to anything. I think we need to re-think our whole system. Michelle, absolutely agree also to your point about police officers needing training. Phycology and mannerism. Follow up is another issue. I had my vehicle stolen last year and had to chase the police for the report. From that day on I never heard from them again. No follow up, no nothing. Yes, I think our whole training needs a makeover.
Even our traffic police don't have it. I have been waved away by a police officer at a roadblock, not knowing which way I should go, not knowing how I could get to my destination. He just tried to get rid of me. Where is the "to protect and serve" oath?
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