Minister for National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has called on the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) to fully embrace community policing as a cornerstone of law enforcement in the country.
Speaking at the Police Awards Ceremony over the weekend, Blackmoore stressed that building trust between officers and citizens is essential to effective policing.
“Forging partnership and relations with the public is the only way you can build and cultivate the element of trust that is critical to the work that you do,” he told the gathering. “That element of suspicion that exists between the police and the public can only be mitigated against, by ensuring that the police and the public work together.”
The Minister commended the Chief of Police and members of the community policing unit for their efforts, but urged a broader and more serious implementation of the program.
“The public will not cooperate with you if they don’t trust you. And that is why I salute you Mr. Andrew, the Chief of Police, and the four other people working with you in the unit,” Blackmoore said.
He pointed out that community policing must be expanded nationwide, declaring it should be present “in every district, in every police station in this country.”
Blackmoore pointed out that the initiative is not optional but vital for Dominica’s future.
“That’s the only way out for us in Dominica if we are going to be serious about policing and solving community issues,” he stated.