Pastor wants better equipment for police

A PASTOR has called for better equipment and working conditions for police officers in the hope that such improvements would assist them in fighting crime. Brian Peters, a junior pastor at the Marabella Open Bible Church, made the suggestion during a police town meeting at the Marabella Senior Comprehensive School on Wednesday. He was one of several persons sharing their views and concerns at the meeting which was attended by ACP (South) Dennis Graham, ACP Kathleen Weekes, Snr Supt Dawson Victor and others. “Please protest to the powers that be to get equipment to help you. Protest for better working conditions and more equipment,” Peters urged. The pastor said his home was recently broken into and he got little response from the police. “I said if the police cannot help me, I will help myself,” Peters said.

The pastor appealed to members of the public not to take the law in their own hands when defending themselves from crime, or commit crimes themselves.  He recalled an incident where he and an off-duty police officer captured a suspected criminal who was handed over to police. “I am doing surveillance, but I cannot take a bullet,” Peters said. Businessman Arnold Cudjoe, a retired policeman, called on the police to carry out regular patrols after school hours to ensure students do not loiter. Marabella resident Sean Hamid complained about the unfriendly manner in which persons were treated when they go to the police station to make reports. He also asked whether officers got psychological treatment, given the strenuous nature of the job. Responding to these queries, ACP Weekes said the police service planned to expand public relations and customer service programmes at the Police Training College. ACP Weekes also said two welfare officers are attached to each police station to counsel officers.