EVIDENCE has shown that crime has its genesis in the society and its growth and pattern need to be addressed not only through applying crime-solving methods, but also putting in place preventive measures, which take on board a scientific approach in gathering and analysing data.It is within this context that our approach to crime and crime-fighting can engender positive results and societal development.  Crime speaks to a violation of the laws. Equally, crime cannot be fought by committing crimes and this is why it becomes important to recognise that the upholding of laws is hinged on crime-fighting and development. When a nation accepts crime as destructive, regardless of the socio-economic and political standing of the perpetrators and is prepared to treat all equally before the law, it creates the desire to put systems in place to address crime in an holistic manner.
White collar crime, while having similar debilitating effects as blue collar crime on development, is being given less attention. This lends itself to a scenario where the privileged and connected may be allowed to get away with illegal activities in full view of the system, operators of which turn a blind eye or are similarly compromised. Equally, if systems are not put in place to minimise and avoid blue collar crime, it lends itself to perception that this is the result of a failure by the system and communities to address the welfare of the less privileged and unconnected, i.e., the ordinary man and woman.
The heralding of the police shooting those perceived to be involved in blue collar crime ought to be attracting serious attention, since the determination of guilt and penalties in a society where laws are held sacrosanct reside in the court.  While the court of public opinion may pronounce on guilt or innocence, it cannot be the final determinant on matters of this nature. Crime cannot be fought by committing crimes and this is why it becomes important to recognise that the upholding of laws hinges on crime-fighting and development.
The nation may recall the counsel of former Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs and Chancellor, Mr Keith Massiah, Senior Counse,l in his Minority Report on the 2005 Ronald Gajraj Commission of Inquiry.
Justice Massiah in his advice wrote: “Killings, however reasonable and expedient in the opinion of many persons of goodwill, ought not to be countenanced. Even the alleged serial killer, the persistent rapist and the paedophile, detestable as those pariahs are, enjoy the fundamental right to a fair hearing and the full protection of due process. Persons who are thought to have committed crimes must be arrested, charged and tried in a court of law. Nothing less can be accepted.”
Underpinning this counsel is the respect for laws, individual rights and the judiciary. Where these tenets are respected, justice is not only served on the violator, it is also served for the aggrieved and the society. Rulings arriving from court proceedings present opportunities to put measures in place for the avoidance of these crimes in future.
For instance, it helps the society to bring an alleged criminal before the court. The information that flows from interrogation and court proceedings can then be used to assist in tracking criminal patterns, identifying criminal cells, and arriving at greater understanding of what may have influenced the criminal conduct. One of the most effective tools of crime-fighting is using information/intelligence gathered from those accused in a scientific manner, not only in crime-solving but also to plan and project crime avoidance.
And to this end it may be opportune for this nation to look at an education programme in criminology and appointment of criminologists, whose role it is to focus on the study of crimes and their causes, effects, and social impact. In the 21st century, crime-fighting has become more sophisticated and holistic. It is not seen as separate from the society. It also requires an effective national development strategy which will tackle social ills such as poverty, hunger, education deficiency, unemployment and under-employment, respect for human life and the environment, graft and corruption, upholding of the rule of law, international conventions, charters and declarations.
And where efforts in tackling blue collar crime are seen as necessary only through military hardware, such ought to be reviewed. Evidence has shown approach of such nature in the absence of intervening factors such as human rights, employment/unemployment rate, school dropouts, recreational facilities and incentive/attractiveness for the get-rich-quick syndrome which is built on criminality, never aid in addressing the cause.  Also needed to be factored in is that blue collar crime will seem acceptable to perpetrators, where it is seen or felt that the privileged and connected are allowed to engage in acts of criminal conduct with impunity.
Making crime-solving and avoidance/prevention part of a nation’s developmental strategy is possible when all are held to the same standards and play by the same rules. In this environment, it helps too to recognise modern-day, crime-fighting techniques do not see killing as acceptable or first choice. And where death has occurred, the Coroner’s Act, Chapter 144 sets out procedures how this ought to be dealt with. For years this law has been observed in the breach and only for a chosen few in spite of it being universal.  It is the equal responsibility of the alleged criminal, law enforcer, privileged and connected, and the ordinary man and woman to abide by the law and be held accountable under the law. Effective and efficient crime-fighting are hinged on these stated factors and the nation has to work to ensure these form part of the daily occurrence in the management of the State.