Cops turn to locals to help policing

Photo: STAR

Residents of Sabujbagh, a crime-prone zone, are about to have a more visible and accessible police force through the introduction of community-backed police officers.
In a renewed commitment to tackle crime in the area, a network of neighbourhood policing teams is soon to be rolled out in the area, police sources said.
The community police will focus on working with both police and locals to find solutions to crimes that are affecting the neighbourhood.
"We are firm and focused on reducing crime. To get this done, we need help from the communities as well as social organisations," said Syed Abdur Rouf, officer in charge of Sabujbagh Police Station.
"The community-based policing teams will work with everyone who intends to help in tackling a wide range of problems the communities face -- from anti-social activities to more serious crimes," he added.
The initiative is still under discussion. In fact it may be a while before the community police officials hit the streets.
However, local police authorities are optimistic about introducing the new service to residents of Sabjbagh soon. "We are still discussing the matter with the members of the community. We are confident that it would not be long before we introduce the scheme in Sabujbagh area," said a Sabujbagh Police official.
Initially, the community would appoint security guards for the neighbourhood. These guards would receive intensive training on policing duties before they are sent out on the streets to keep constant vigilance over the neighbourhood.
The community support officers will be given limited authority to place someone under detention and issue penalty notices, sources said.
Sabujbagh is a densely populated area on the eastern fringe of the city. Bashabo, Madartek, Badda, Wahab Colony and adjacent areas are under the jurisdiction of Sabujbagh Police Station.
Limited manpower, inadequate logistics and intelligence support have been weighing down the efforts of Sabujbagh Police to keep crime in check in the area. Sabujbagh police officials said the introduction of community police officers would be beneficial to the police force and the locals alike.
"The community has a lot of problems including drug abuse, gambling, theft, land disputes and harassment and repression on women. Most of the times, the locals or even the victims are fearful of reporting these incidents," said a Sabujbagh Police official.
"Community support police officials would maintain closer ties with the residents of a community and assist us in keeping criminal and antisocial activities in check," he added.
Residents of Sabujbagh are also full of optimism and enthusiasm over the new initiative.
"Since the community police is supposed to work closely with the community and the police force, I think they can play a vital role in ensuring our security," said Mofazzal Hossain from North Bashabo.
"However, it can only be effective if it is implemented properly and all the people concerned are sincere about it," he added.
The idea of community policing was raised earlier in a discussion on "Open Day" at Sabujbagh Police Station where local residents and social organisations shared their views with police officials on the means of maintaining law and order in the area.
"We raised our concerns about several issues in the neighbourhood, and exchanged ideas and suggestions about their possible solutions," said Jamal Hossain from Middle Bashabo.
"Ultimately, it was evident that collaboration between citizens and the police would be necessary in order to do that. Consequently, the idea of community policing came up as an obvious solution," he said.
Syed Abdur Rouf, officer in charge of Sabujbagh Police Station said the community police teams would allow the police force to develop closer ties with the community. Besides, the neighbourhood policing would mean more visible and accessible policing that would be accountable to members of the community.