–Commander Persaud tells Port Kaituma residents

EFFECTIVE partnerships between law enforcement and community stakeholders are essential to public safety, and it is important that government agencies, community groups, nonprofits, businesses, and private citizens embrace it as a shared responsibility.

This was the sentiment expressed by the Regional Commander of Division One, Superintendent Boodnarine Persaud during his address to stakeholders at the Matarkai Sub-Region, Port Kaituma Community Centre.
In attendance were businessmen, Toshaos, Councillors, members of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), vendors, operators of public transportation, religious leaders, and members of the Community Policing Groups.

During the two-hour-long meeting, the Superintendent emphasised that law enforcement and community members must develop positive working relationships in order to increase the trust between the police and the public.

“My office will be used to provide innovative and creative resources that help law enforcement engage community leaders, build lasting partnerships, and improve the health of our communities,” the Police Commander told the Sunday Chronicle in an invited comment.

He also advocated for partnerships among the different groups, in an effort to minimise crime in their community, and foster good Police/Public relationships.

Further, he discussed the strategies of community-oriented policing, and explained the benefits of working together on sharing ideas and information, in an effort to reduce or eliminate crime in the different communities in the Matarkai sub-region.

Persons at the meeting also had an opportunity to voice their concerns, and among those issues was the manner in which police officers speak to the public; the lack of confidentiality in police ranks; the limited number of ranks at police stations; the need for traffic signs to be erected; and the impartiality of police ranks in executing their duties when it comes to persons breaching the COVID-19 restrictions.

While in the region, the Commander also visited the Port Kaituma Police Station, and held an instruction class with the ranks stationed there.

“We spoke about Standing Order 12, which deals with appearances and conduct. There were several reports against ranks for the manner in which they are speaking to members of the public. The ranks were encouraged to put their best foot forward, and work together in an effort to reduce crime in the Community,” Commander Persaud said.