BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER years of public censure that its members were insufficiently visible, the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis Police Force has introduced a formal system of community policing to allay those concerns.
According to a press release issued yesterday (Apr. 26), the new system is part of the force’s strategic plan to improve public confidence in its operations. It is also intended to assist in the prevention and detection of some crimes.
The policing takes the form of foot patrols, normally lasting for several hours, throughout various communities in Basseterre.
Joseph Liburd, Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, told SKNVibes that areas spanning Bird Rock in the east to The Village in the west were all included in the patrol sweep.
Although community policing has been an element of police operations for several years, Liburd explained that the switch to a more formalised system would result in greater dividends for the force.
“Community policing is not new to us, it has long been part of our crime fighting strategy, but this time we intend to put more emphasis on it with a view of involving the community more in helping us with the challenges that crime poses to the development of our Federation.
“We initiated this phase of the plan about two weeks ago, and we are aiming to eventually branch it out of the capital so the rural communities can be involved in the process. It is already done in these areas in a less formal way but we really want to bring them under the official system,” said Liburd.
The ACP added that the force is taking steps to implement a similar initiative on Nevis.
There have been 11 patrols since the phase commenced, with each beat consisting of at least two uniformed policemen.
Liburd revealed that the patrols are conducted anytime between sunrise and sundown, and guaranteed that each community would be visited at a minimum of two to three times per week. He was hesitant to disclose additional details of the strategic plan but assured that they would be announced eventually.
“We want the foot patrols to be done more in the daytime because we switch to mobile patrols in the evening. People keep saying the force is not visible enough, and with this new approach that shouldn’t be a problem anymore.
“The aim of the strategic plan is really to increase the trust that people have in our men,” Liburd stated. “Other components of it will be revealed and rolled out in due time when we are ready for the next phase.”
