Community oriented policing that never was

Firstly, what is the philosophy of community policing that guides the actions of our law enforcement agencies? The TT PS has approached community policing as a transactional relationship with citizens, simply requiring the citizen to be the eyes and ears of the police to assist in the fight against crime.

It is a flawed strategy that limits the most potent resource in crime prevention and reduction — residents in the community.

One therefore wonders if this is the same strategy that will be employed by the municipal police.

If yes, then can we realistically expect different results? As I said previously, “The TT PS’ present approach to police- community relations is very worrying.

The deficit in its understanding of what community-oriented policing is can be gauged by the utterances and behaviour of its representative on the Beyond the Tape public service programme where he derides the population for 99 percent of the show then asks for assistance and support for the TT PS in its ‘fight against crime’. Insp Alexander is the poster boy for what is wrong with the TT PS approach to community policing...” Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is advised to set aside any notion of imperiousness and self-righteousness if he is to successfully analyse and reorient community policing. It is not for our leaders to judge us based on their understanding of what is right but to understand who we are and partner with us to design a new order that is acceptable to all.

Our community policing efforts must combine law enforcement with social engagement. It must adopt a problem-solving model.

It is imperative that we sit as partners and analyse our situation with mutual respect for the role that we each play as police and civilian.

Consequently, we will all understand that the guns and the men with guns have to be removed from our community; pacifying them is insufficient.

We would support and celebrate the peace-making work being done by community leaders, particularly women, and provide resources and oversight.

The most important element of the community policing model or any model has to be its philosophy, one which respects the rights of all people to live a life free from fear and upholds the responsibility of the State to protect citizens, prevent crime and violence, promote peace and ensure that community oriented policing consults, cooperates, and accounts to the community.

Prime Minister, you will not be judged on whether you had a successful education campaign but on whether you were able to demonstrate that rights matter.

In order to do so, you must be able to institutionalise democratic policing in our law enforcement agencies.

FOLADE MUTOTA
executive director
Women’s Institute for
Alternative Development