RSIPF is rolling out its Crime Prevention Strategy with the establishment so far of about 400 Ward Crime Prevention Committees throughout the country.
“I want to congratulate the provincial assembly members, chiefs, church leaders, women and youth representatives for their cooperation in agreeing to become members of these Ward Crime Prevention Committees. These Committees are very important in the roll out of the Crime Prevention Strategy,” says Deputy Commissioner, Gabriel Manelusi.
“The roll out of this Strategy is taking a bit longer than what was anticipated because of the geographical spread of our communities. But we want to ensure that these initial stages are set up properly as these Crime Prevention Committees are essential for the successful implementation of the Strategy,” says Mr Manelusi.
The next stage is for the RSIPF and other stakeholders to train members of the Ward Crime Prevention Committees in their various roles.
But even before this training happens, Deputy Commissioner Manelusi says, “I am really encouraged to note that some members of these Committees have already started to assist Police with their work in the communities.”
RSIPF with other stakeholders will conduct a training workshop for members of the Ward Crime Prevention Committees in the Russell Islands, Central Islands Province from 13 – 15 August 2017. Training for Committees in other parts of the country is also being planned.
“I want to encourage all members of the Crime Prevention Committees to continue to work together with the police in your different communities to address crime. The important thing is to prevent crime before it happens,” says Mr Manelusi.
The Crime Prevention Strategy was endorsed by the RSIPF Executive in 2016 as a means to build community confidence in the Force, reduce the fear of crime and build relationships with the community and prove the effective strategy for dealing with crime.
The Strategy was also expected to provide the RSIPF with improved information and intelligence with which it can deal with crime issues as they develop, not wait until issues occur and have to deal with the reactive policing issues.