From a pilot project in one locality to a project spread across 85% of the country, the concept of community policing has not only brought the police closer to the people but is leading to more crime prevention work. Among them, in Siġġiewi, where the community has been provided with community police services for the last year, which service is being strengthened in collaboration with the local council.
The Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri explained this, as the Siġġiewi Local Council invested in two e-bikes and an electric scooter to further strengthen the service of the community police in this locality. A service that means that the residents are seeing more police presence on the streets of the village while they are also a point of reference for them. This is as soon as they know who the policeman assigned to that locality is, they can make contact with him, while they are meeting and talking to him regularly. All this translates into more confidence.
The Minister Byron Camilleri claimed that the local councils have an important part in the operation of this concept and reiterated that in fulfilling the promise that will see this service spread throughout the country, the same local councils they will remain key partners in security at the heart of communities. This while the main objective remains that the security of the country continues to be brought about with the proactive strategy. For this purpose, this year the Patrol and Community Support Officers will also be introduced, as part of measures announced in the budget for further strengthening of security among society.
With all this, in the discussion between the parties present in the building of the Civic Center of Siġġiewi, it was also explained that the participation of the public remains crucial and a key partner of the police officers so that the country is kept safe. With the concept of community policing this is also evidenced because it is a way that the Corps is identifying the challenges that lead to crime and addressing them. An example of this is the synergy that exists in Siġġiewi and how the same local council is increasingly recognizing the importance of the community police and how it is investing in this service, with the ultimate goal of more security and peace of mind for residents.
The Mayor of Siġġiewi Council, Dominic Grech, had words of praise for the work that the community police is carrying out in Siġġiewi and reiterated the council’s commitment to continue working hand in hand for an increasingly safe locality. He meant this investment as a testimony of strong cooperation between the Council and the Police for the benefit of the residents.
Also present for this collaboration agreement was Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, members of the Siġġiewi Local Council, together with Police Force officers and others who serve in the Community’s service Policing.
Photos (DOI-MHSR)
