ACP: Conviction rate poor

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
A TOTAL of 241,901 cases were prosecuted across PNG from 2017 to 2019, with only 55,761 convictions, says acting Asst Comm of Police (ACP) policy and planning Dr Philip Mitna.
Dr Mitna told The National that “it was not possible to conclude the reasons for the poor conviction rate unless there is a case management system that tracks court files from arrest to prosecution”.
“The rate of conviction has been significantly lower than the number of cases prosecuted,” he said.
“For example, of the 50,903 cases prosecuted in 2019, we secured 7,183 convictions.
“That’s 12.37 per cent conviction rate for that year.
“For 2017 and 2018, conviction rates are no different.
“The total number of cases, both summary and serious offences prosecuted and convictions secured between 2017 and 2019, can be seen at 241,901.
“The number of cases prosecuted has decreased in the period under review, the underlying causes for the decline in the number of cases prosecuted vary.
“The rate of conviction is significantly lower than the number of cases prosecuted.
“However, a summary of activities from the prosecution directorate between 2017 and 2019, are represented with new cases declining between the period of 2017 and 2019.”
“For the three years fresh, new cases were reported at 107,612.
“However, there was a decline and now additional data to justify the causes of declination of fresh new cases.
“16,834 cases were brought forward and struck-out cases were reported at 8,360.
“What’s more important is the number of cases that are struck out and dismissed, although marginal when compared to the number of new cases and cases brought forward, they point to some extent the quality of the court files. For the year 2017 and 2018, no cases were withdrawn, however, in 2019, 652 cases were reportedly withdrawn, why?
“I cannot answer that because we have no information to back the numbers we have collated.
“From across the country, it was reported that 14,171 cases were dismissed, however, the conviction rate as stated was at 55,761, with 2018 reporting a year-high of 24,606 convictions.
“There are many reasons for this predicament, including poor court files from arresting officers, lack of supervision on the quality of court files and arresting suspects without credible evidence.
“One of the ways to improve the conviction rate is to improve case management in the system – from arrest to prosecution.”