A criminology researcher says rewards do work as a way of catching people, even if the success rate appears low.
Victoria Police is offering a record $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of alleged gunman Dezi Freeman . A criminologist and former police officer says police are now using rewards in new ways, not just for cold cases.
Police have received more than 200 tips since announcing the reward, but are calling for more people to come forward.A criminology researcher says rewards do work as a way of catching people, even if the success rate appears low.Police said the reward was not "an act of desperation" but hoped it would motivate people who may be helping the fugitive or have information to come forward. "If you put out 100 rewards and only one person comes forward, but it solves a crime, my argument would be they're still effective," Bond University associate professor and former police officer, Terry Goldsworthy, said."If we hadn't done the reward, we wouldn't necessarily have solved that matter.""We used to see them offered when investigations had been frustrated, when all traditional techniques had been exhausted. They were generally for cold cases," he said."They're trying to move from a low information state to a high information state.""In this case, I think the reward isn't necessarily there for solving the matter … there are plenty of first-hand witnesses," Dr Goldsworthy said.But Dr Goldsworthy said people eyeing the full $1 million reward could be disappointed."You might find someone gets $100,000, someone else $250,000.Victoria Police has more than 190 rewards on offer for information about serious offences. Crimes including murder and large-scale commercial drug trafficking, both of which can carry a life sentence in prison, can attract rewards of up to $1 million. The $1 million reward for Mr Freeman's arrest is the only one currently being offered for capture, not a conviction. A Victoria Police spokesperson said rewards were designed to send a clear message that police were determined to bring those responsible to justice."It is our hope that as circumstances in the lives of people who have information about these crimes changes, that they do come forward and provide information to police," the spokesperson said."Often, we only get one chance to announce a reward and so we have to ensure we make the best use of the announcement.""It's important to understand that reward amounts do not represent the value of someone's life, nor do they indicate the desire of police to solve a particular case,"Under the current system, an application is submitted, considered by a committee, and if approved, a reward is announced. In 2012, changes were made to the rewards process to align with the maximum penalty for the relevant crime.Retired Victoria Police homicide detective Charlie Bezzina said the reward for information on Mr Freeman was unusual because it applied to an arrest, not a conviction, and could encourage people to act in potentially dangerous ways."Who knows, people might take it upon themselves and think 'I'm a great bush person'. "It'll be taking your life in your own hands if you want to go and traipse into the bush with a view of claiming the reward.""In general, when we place rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of an offender, they're not that effective,"Mr Bezzina said he could only remember two successful claims made during his decades in the force, including one where a $50,000 reward was paid."With the criminal fraternity, they may not want to be in that sort of situation," he said."They'll just say, 'I want to give information because that could have been my loved one' or whatever the offence may well be."Photo shows Two CCTV images show a man in dark clothing, a dark baseball cap and sunglasses.Photo shows A compilation of images showing university names.Photo shows An aerial photo of a coffin, draped in an Ausralian flag, leaving a funeral, flanked by dozens of mournersPhoto shows Two CCTV images show a man in dark clothing, a dark baseball cap and sunglasses.
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