Unless the Police Force reconnects with the community, it cannot continue to effectively combat crime, says Justice Margaret Reifer.
The judge, speaking yesterday at the Regional Police Training Centre’s (RPTC) 135th Passing Out parade at Seawell, Christ Church, said this connection was one of the most important and fundamental philosophies of policing.
“To combat crime, policing requires the active co-operation of the society. Policing cannot be effective if it is working in isolation, so build more bridges with the community,” she said.
Reifer’s address was entitled Meeting The Challenges Of Policing In The 21st Century.
“Our people have a reputation for rising from adversity and setting high standards which are the envy of more developed countries,” she said. “Our most precious resource has been and always will be our people. We have a reputation for hard work, dedication and sacrifice which, when combined with integrity, are the ingredients for success.”
Reifer also advised the graduates, who were from Barbados and the Virgin Islands, to develop an in-depth knowledge of the law, keep up to date with modern policing, be mindful of ethnic and cultural complexities, and pursue higher education.
“By successfully graduating from this programme, you have adequately laid the cornerstone that is the foundation of a career in law enforcement; a foundation well positioned to assist you in meeting the challenges of policing in the 21st century.”
RPTC commandant Eucklyn Thompson also had some advice for the recruits. He said they should avoid physically and emotionally abusing others, abuse of authority, uncouthness, threats to the public and victimization.
On the other hand, he said, they should practise things like love, sympathy, kindness, tolerance, care, compassion, understanding, respect, patience, empathy and humility.
“These attributes will not make you a ‘soft’ policeman, as you are still expected to enforce the law but instead they will show that you have an appreciation for people and are willing to work with them to solve their problems,” he said.
Thompson also warned the recruits of the dangers of following unscrupulous members of the force who would only lead them astray.
“Do not be overawed or intimidated by your experienced colleagues who may wish to minimize your training by exposing you to ‘shortcuts’,” he said. “Instead, gravitate to those who are professional in their outlook and are in the business of best practices.”
