IN a previous article the JP and COA Association expressed confidence in the appointments of the Commanders of the several Magisterial Districts in the country.

The opinion is justified with evidence of some good policing work and moreso, with the impressive approach to the work plan by the commander of ‘B’ Division in the Corentyne, Mr. George Alexander Vyphuis.

It is public knowledge that criminal activities have taken on a new dimension, posing a frightening challenge to the drug trade, corrupt and illegal practices in many places, moral degradation on a large scale, domestic violence and abuse towards the female gender, gangsterism and the wanton loss of lives on our roads among other negatives have heightened and taken police work at another level.

The Association agrees with the Commander that the intensity and scope of criminal activities today require a different calibre of policemen, who are qualified academically, thoroughly trained and fully committed to the task.

The public on the other hand, has a civic responsibility to cooperate with the police in the interest of justice and the Association strongly feels that Justices of the Peace in all communities should be considered, be involved as partners of sensitising Members of the public on the fundamentals of the law as it relates to the law and to the Police Act and the Constitutional Rights of the Individual.

This would be a collaborative approach that would help to foster good community relations between the Association and the Police. The political administration however, should take steps to set up the system to facilitate this initiative.

Already, the Association is aggressively agitating for community-based Mediation as an approach to bring about harmonious relationships by peaceful means in the communities. JP’s in essence are “peacemakers” and they should be empowered to function as such.

The JP Association can also be empowered with assistance from the political administration in the establishment of regulatory and monitoring body for the supervision of activities and civic responsibilities of JPs and COAs countrywide within the confines of the law.

Youth groups and Clubs are not only required at police station but organisational exposure and experience for young people at schools, churches and other public places for various purposes and more especially to prevent and protect young minds from evil influences.

The Regional Democratic Councils have a key role to play in the communities to address problems of maladjustment amongst youths and to lead them towards the acquisition of vocational skills for more productive and worthwhile living.

Council or no council, influential people from the communities despite their status, should be asked to be part of the decision making process in the interest of community development.

Finally, community policing is a very useful mechanism to foster the communal spirit in safety and protection of the villagers. Again, JP’s should be an active part of the programme. They are indeed, being under-utilised.
HERMON BHOLAISINGH