Top Cop highlights success of community outreaches

The partnership pillar, where members of the police force reach out to various communities, is proving to be an advantageous strategy for the police.
This was disclosed by Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken during a Radio Eve Leary interview on Saturday where he stated that significant growth has been seen in various communities due to the efforts that the police service has been undertaken throughout various communities.

According to Hicken, years ago there was a norm where police rank only visited communities when there were only unlawful acts or incidents, however this has now changed mainly because the Guyana Police force has recognised that every community within Guyana is the police force’s highest priority.
“These days you can see police within communities casually and that is where they are supposed to be. The communities happen to be your greatest stakeholders and we are going to make sure that we maintain that by doing so we will develop trust,” Hicken, who regarded the community engagements as a significant transition expressed.
He stated that this transition cannot be undertaken if the force does not continue to diversify its entire focus and police curricula. Additionally, he said that there is a heavy focus on academia for persons who would like to join the police force. Explaining that in continuing their efforts, there needs to be a transition within the police force, he expressed that new recruits will undergo serious training. “We are focusing heavily on training because this transition will require a new different attitude, a whole new breed of police officers,” he expressed.
Community Policing Groups are formed on the basis of a partnership among the Government, the Police, and members of the community in recognition of the need to reduce crime; reduce the fear of crime; promote and provide peace, safety and security; promote community integration and support for the police; enhancing the crime-fighting capacity of the police; strengthen organisational support and improve the quality of life in communities. There are presently 270 active community policing groups with a membership of some 5,201 members. (G2)