A recent report by the New South Wales Bureau of Crime
Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) has the mainstream media
asserting that criminal offences are being
'solved' at higher rates than ever before in New South
Wales.
But while these sources laud the New South Wales Police Force
for its hard work and success, it is important to bear in mind at
least two things: (1) the term used in the report, which is
'clear up rates', refers to taking some form of legal
action and not actually achieving a conviction or finding of guilt,
and (2) there is a strong argument the increase in clear up rates
is primarily attributable to technological advancements and
increases in state surveillance, the intrusive
monitoring of individuals and
expanding police powers at the expense of civil liberties,
rather than any additional efforts of, or improvements within, our
state's police force.
