IN an effort to maintain law and order, and “be ready” for the call of duty at any point in time, the ranks of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) held a fitness walk on Saturday morning from the village of Three Friends to the Anna Regina Regional Police Headquarters.

The “stay healthy and be strong” walk was led by the Regional Commander, Superintendent Khemraj Shivbaran, who told the Sunday Chronicle that the ranks do these exercises from time to time in order to test their ability and health, so that they can carry out their duties effectively.

According to him, “We plan to make the walk a monthly feature, and, as of next month, we will have other stakeholders and different organisations onboard. The idea is to get more people to participate in a broader context. We are also conducting the fitness walk, so that the people of the communities can see that we are staying fit, and we are there to help them.”

As it relates to the region’s ongoing police outreaches, the Commander said the feedback from residents has been positive.

“The people of the communities have been positive about meeting with the members of the Force within their communities; we find that it brings about connectivity with the police and the members of the public,” Superintendent Shivbaran said.

In many instances, the Commander said, the people within the communities have their own issues, but find it difficult to find someone to turn to, because they do not feel very confident or comfortable with police officers.

He said the outreach programme has enabled the people and police officers to have a one-on-one interaction, which will eventually strengthen the relationship between the Police Force and citizens.

And this is a welcome initiative by residents in the region, especially Mayadevi Awadhesh of Abram Zuil.

She told the Sunday Chronicle, “This is one of the best things that the Police on the coast can do; not everyone wants to go to the stations and make a report if they have a problem, but we can feel more comfortable and safer with them patrolling or being around. It is also good to see that they are also keeping active, so that they can reach the people in a timely manner.”

Anjanie Anrood, a resident of Anna Regina, said, “I am very happy that the police officers are doing this; it makes us feel safer and more relaxed, knowing that they are in and around the community. This is good for people, children and businesses, too. I hope that they will keep up the wonderful job.”

During the annual Commissioner’s Christmas Breakfast last year, President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Ifaan Ali applauded the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the senior officers for their approach to building a relationship with the people.

Additionally, the President stated that the new approach would give police officers more community-based, fearless and creative ideas, which would improve relationships with the public, and strengthen integrity and accountability.