Hosein: Municipal police building trust

In a ministry release yesterday it was reported that members of he Municipal Police Service from Chaguanas, Princes Town, Couva, Port of Spain and San Juan/Laventille, led by Assistant Commissioner of Municipal Police Brian Headley, Senior Superintendent of Municipal Police (South) Carlisle Huggins, and Superintendent Glen Charles, came together yesterday to patrol the streets of the borough as well as the Chaguanas Market.

The main objective of this exercise, the release noted, was to address the numerous complaints received from members of the public regarding the illegal activities taking place in the borough and to implement a plan of action in order to deal with such issues.

During the exercise two persons were apprehended in the Chaguanas Market for selling marijuana.

Hosein, in the release, reiterated the importance of the burgesses knowing the municipal police officers in their area.

“Every citizen, in every city, region or borough must be able to know who their municipal police officers are, so that they can reach out to them when the need arises.

Schoolchildren and leaders in the community must be able to

identify the police officers and view them as role models.” He continued: “I commend the municipal police officers and their leadership, who in a short time, have been building trust within the community, and display a great willingness to get to know the community and the burgesses. I have already been getting positive feedback from citizens about their efforts .

With increased foot patrols and collaborative exercises such as this in every municipality, we will restore community policing, and really improve the service to the people.” Hosein also urged the officers present to continue building professional and community- centered relationships with citizens so they can become more familiar with those who they are committed to safeguarding .

Hosein commended the hardworking officers of the municipal service for taking speedy action against persons who blatantly disobey the law, and applauded their efforts as a right step towards returning a sense of safety and security to our beloved country. Collaborative municipal police exercises will continue regularly in each of the fourteen municipalities, based on the concerns of the burgesses, the release stated .