THE importance of building lasting relationships with organizations, institutions, businesses, schools, the media and residents was re-emphasised when Community Relations Officers met with Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan on Monday.

The meeting, held at the PRO’s Office at Parade Street, Eve Leary, Georgetown, was called to discuss strategies to strengthen community relations, examine negative and positive publicity and the sharing of information in a timely manner.

Superintendent Ramlakhan urged the officers to identify issues and concerns that affect the quality of life and safety of residents in their neighbourhoods.

“Their focus is on social groups or the most vulnerable individuals in terms of being victimised and feeling safe. On a regular basis, the community relations officer gets out to meet the many partners. The officer should meet residents and business people and regularly visit schools in the particular division’s area, homes for the elderly and community centres as a few examples,” Ramlakhan noted.

The Superintendent also pointed out that community relations officers are valuable resources in resolving problems and putting lasting solutions in place.

“Community relations officers apply corporate prevention and intervention programs. They also develop local prevention programs that are adapted to the reality of their own local station. They therefore contribute their expertise and knowledge to maintaining safety in their division. They also provide support to officers at their local station in their areas of expertise, due to their in-depth knowledge of the features of their division and their relationships with local partners,” he explained.

As youth intervention experts at their stations, the Superintendent issued a call for the community officers to regularly visit schools and identify young people at risk of being involved in or affected by a criminal activity.