Published On:Thursday, March 18, 2010

EDITOR, The Tribune.

It has become commonplace to hear media personnel asking for a plan that they say the police should have for policing our country. One critic of the police recently said that the new police cars and motorcycles will have no affect on crime and insisted that the police must have a plan. I would like all media persons to know the police have a plan, which is in the oath of office and the statement of common purpose, both of which are known to the public. The statement of common purpose reads as follows:-

"The Royal Bahamas Police Force, in partnership with all citizens, residents and visitors, exists to provide total quality law enforcement service, with emphasis on the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of the peace, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders and the enforcement of all laws with which it is charged.

"We shall perform our duties in a manner which respects individual human rights and which reflects fairness, sensitivity and compassion. Yet, we shall act in firm pursuit of all offenders of our laws, so as to ensure a safe and just society, where neither crime nor fear of crime adversely affects the quality of life.

"We shall accomplish these goals with a high degree of professionalism, through leadership and teams of individuals who are competent, ethical and dedicated. We shall discharge our duties with courage, integrity and being ever mindful of a changing environment, with a willingness to embrace justified criticism and the need for change."

It should be noted, that in the height of all the anti-police statements from some media personnel and some politicians the men and women of the force continues to perform with distinction. The result of their outstanding performance often go unnoticed. In recent years the detection rate escalated, which is mainly due to the relations established through community policing and improved public relations.

The media can help in a campaign for a gun court to hear gun possession cases with a 21-day period, with mandatory penalties of two years for small arms possession and five years for the Uzi, machine gun and the AK 47.

Such measures would very likely put fear in the gun men and the police would be rid of them from the streets for the period of incarceration. The media can do more in the area of crime prevention education, which ought to be a daily exercise in reminding our people to be more alert and observant and of the commonsense measures they can take to protect themselves.

The Force's plan to respond to calls for help within three minutes would be an asset when accomplished.

The new vehicles will go a long way in improving police response.

PAUL

THOMPSON Sr

Nassau,

March, 2010.