KINGSTON, Jamaica — The police say they are on target to meet the 60 per cent clear-up rate set for murder cases this year.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ealan Powell on Thursday told journalists at a press conference at the Police Commissioner’s Office in St Andrew that more than half of the cases have been cleared so far.

“Our target last year for clear-up of murder was set at 51 per cent; we surpassed the target and achieved 55 per cent which is much higher than we did the previous year. The previous year it was 40 per cent. Last year it was 55 per cent. To date, we are near 50 per cent, for this year’s target it is 60 per cent,” Powell said.

The ACP said last year over 700 people were arrested and charged for murder. He said this represents the largest number in the country’s history.

“We have seen an improvement in our conviction rate just this year. Just recently the director of public prosecution pointed out that of the 18 murder cases that were tried in the court this year 12 resulted in conviction. That would be a 66.6 per cent clear-up. I think it is due in part to the improvement that we are seeing in our investigative processes,” he said.

At the same time, Powell said the police have embarked on a programme to improve the force’s investigative capacity through the use of technology, training and through “getting the right persons in the right place”.

“That has worked so far,” he said.