THE way the police treat individuals and communities with which they interact on a daily basis can make a difference in the reduction of crime and by treating people equally, making decisions fairly, explaining those decisions, and being respectful,the police can encourage people to cooperate with them and not break the law.

This is according to recently installed Police ‘D’ Division (West Bank Demerara- East Bank Essequibo) Commander, Edmond Cooper, who organised a march against “Crime and Traffic Lawlessness” from the Den Amstel Police Station to Leonora Police Station on Saturday morning.

Joining the march also was Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Maxine Graham and other senior police officers; President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan and other officials.

Scores of persons marched to steel pan music of the police force band as they paced their way down the roadway.

Onlookers commended the move, noting that actions speak louder than words and greater police presence is needed in all neighbourhoods and communities.

“The primary deterrent to potential criminals is not the law, or that the police alone will take action against the criminal; but that the community, collectively, will disapprove to such an extent that the victim, or other witnesses, will take action by bringing in the police and if need be, assist with the investigation by telling the police what they know,” Commander Cooper told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview.
He explained that crime cannot be prevented by the police if the community does not have confidence in the police to do so, or if for some other reasons crime is not reported.
Research, the senior superintendent said, has suggested that a great deal of crime is not in fact reported to the police; this is obviously also dependent on the quality of the relationship between the police and the community.
Further, he underscored that the process of investigating crimes does not, contrary to the mythology surrounding detective work, generally succeed through the brilliance of detectives; but is to a large extent dependent on the willingness of the public to assist with information and to act as witnesses when the case goes to court.
“The favour and approval of the public must be sought at all times; not by pandering to public opinion, but by enforcing the laws with constant and absolute impartiality, giving prompt, individual and friendly service to all members of society, regardless of status, social position or national affiliation; being courteous and friendly at all times and being ready to make personal sacrifices in order to save lives,” Commander Cooper said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Joseph Harmon described the march as important, noting that it expresses the concerns of communities about crime and traffic lawlessness.

“Crime is affecting all of us and the fact that the police are not everywhere, the citizens have to be the eyes and ears of the police; and they serve as a link between the community and the police, so this is important to bridge that gap,” Harmon said.

He noted that communities need to assist the police with the provision of information to assist with crime reduction.

Further, the minister of state noted, that highways on the West Coast of Demerara and East Bank Essequibo have taken many lives, even that of a former commissioner of police, and many other senior police officers and citizens.

Adding that on a daily basis the police deal with many traffic infractions, injuries and fatal accidents, he said drivers, riders and pedestrians must understand that the careful use of the road is paramount and those who park or place vehicles on the roadways must realise that such actions create traffic hazards and deaths.

“Speeding, drinking and driving are a serious cause of traffic accidents; and these are things we have to work actively against, since using the roadways in a responsible manner … is of outmost importance,” the minister of state noted.

He continued: “My presence is to promote the active cooperation between citizens and the police; and I hope that the police understands that citizens are part of community policing; persons don’t necessarily need to be a part of a community policing group to help the police in identifying possible areas of crime and lawlessness.”

Minister Harmon further urged citizens to support the police in the work they do and assist with helping to reduce crimes.

Meanwhile, President of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce, Halim Khan, said it is important for law enforcement to partner with the business community and citizenry in curbing traffic lawlessness and crime.

“We welcome the commander’s approach to law enforcement and partnership in getting things done; this is even more important as the Christmas season approaches and there is need to double the manpower at the Vreed-en-Hoop and Parika Stellings,” Khan said.

He explained that the most fundamental criterion in carrying out effective crime- prevention work is to ensure that it is knowledge-based to the greatest possible extent.

The chamber president added that early initiatives to counteract youth criminality are worthwhile in many ways.

“If children and young people who infringe social norms and rules receive support as early as possible, there is less of a risk of serious problems or a criminal career later in life. Parenting support and preventive work in maternity and child health care, pre-school and schools mean that risk factors can be discovered at an early stage. Measures that seek to identify risks of or the existence, for example, of violence or addiction, are also important aspects of crime-prevention work,” Khan noted.

Meanwhile, Khan noted that rice combines and tractors used to plough farmlands should not use the roadways if they are not cleaned of debris and mud, since this causes serious accidents and damage to the roadways.