Hostile environment at police stations
THE EDITOR: On the one hand those in authority (like the Commissioner of Police) are repeatedly calling on the public to share information with the police on criminal activities. On the other hand, they are not trying to address the hostile environment with which one is faced in attempting to do so. Very often the one reporting a suspicious activity or a crime is treated as the perpetrator. The physical environment at most of the police stations is poor. The rooms are often hot and crowded and devoid of proper seating accommodation. There is no privacy and one can very well find himself/herself reporting on a person who is standing next to you. In this environment one may have to wait for hours before receiving attention. Added to the discomfort, the policemen/women seem to be indifferent and incapable of efficiently and politely taking a report. Acting on it is another story, because in most cases no action seems to be taken. Mr Commissioner, people need to feel welcome and comfortable at police stations. Unless you can provide this environment and one in which the public has trust in the police, I am afraid people will continue to be reluctant to make reports. Fact is that the law abiding citizens are afraid of the police but the lawless are not. The ball is really in your court. OLTON VALDEZ St James
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"Hostile environment at police stations"