Author Archives: Gary Cordner

Protest policing in France criticized

Police handling of recent pension protests in France has drawn heavy criticism, as reported here. One expert describes the approach taken by police as “an escalation doctrine” and a human rights activist asserts “We have forgotten that the police are … Continue reading

Posted in Europe | Tagged | Leave a comment

Police powers expanded in Chile

Chile, generally the safest country in Latin America, saw a 32% increase in homicides in 2022, attributed in part to Venezuelan gang violence. Over the last month, several police officers have been killed. In response, the government has passed new … Continue reading

Posted in South America | Tagged | Leave a comment

Met must reinvent itself

The London Metropolitan Police recently underwent an independent review that found it to be “institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic,” as reported here. The Met Commissioner has accepted the findings though he questions whether the problems are institutional. Among the recommendations … Continue reading

Posted in Europe | Tagged | Leave a comment

Biggest art fraud in world history

In what they are calling “the biggest art fraud in world history,” police in Canada have arrested 8 suspects and seized more than 1,000 paintings, prints, and other works, all believed to be forgeries claiming to be works by the … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Europe, North America | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mobile DNA identifying war dead in Ukraine

There are 9 mobile DNA vans being used in Ukraine to identify war dead, as reported here, 6 provided by American philanthropist Howard G. Buffett. The mobile vans equipped with rapid DNA technology are able to complete identifications in a … Continue reading

Posted in Europe | Tagged | Leave a comment

Crime versus perception of crime in Malta

Crime in Malta has decreased over the last several years but the public’s perception of criminality and safety has gotten worse, according to this interview. The country’s homicide and overall crime rates are low by international standards, but its population … Continue reading

Posted in Europe | Tagged | Leave a comment

Garda strengthening international networking

The Garda commissioner recently visited the agency’s liaison officer in Bogota, Colombia as part of a networking trip to North and South America, as reported here. In Colombia, “discussions centred on the booming cocaine trade from South America to Europe.” … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Country rankings on risk of money laundering

Global rankings of 128 countries on their efforts and capacities in 2022 to mitigate money laundering are available here. The countries rated best included Finland, Sweden, Iceland, and New Zealand. Rated worst were the Democratic Republic of the Congo and … Continue reading

Posted in Global | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2022 homicides in Latin America and the Caribbean

Three Caribbean nations appear to have had the most homicides per capita in 2022 in the combined Latin American and Caribbean region, as reported here. The leader was Turks and Caicos at 77.6 per 100,000 population, followed by Jamaica and … Continue reading

Posted in Central America, North America, South America | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Deteriorating situation in Haiti

Violence and protests have continued in Haiti, as reported here. In the last 18 months, 78 police officers have been killed, including 14 so far in 2023. Recently, numerous police have gone on strike, and “armed demonstrators, believed to be … Continue reading

Posted in Central America, North America | Tagged , , | Leave a comment