Officers from Murang’a Police Station yesterday organized friendly matches with members of the public as part of sensitization on the importance of community policing.
The police together with National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and other stakeholders noted that, community policing as a crime management strategy, allows the police and the community to work jointly with a view to identifying and solving problems of security and social disorder around them.
Speaking during the launch at Ihura stadium, Dr. Stanley Kamau of Ahadi Trust and the national ambassador for community policing stated that, as members of the public interact with the police and NGAO through such joint recreational programmes, the relationship between the public and the officers improves.
“Through such interaction the public is able to see the police as human and approachable and hopefully this will boost their relationship and advance cooperation,” Kamau said. “The games open up avenues for dialogue which is an important part of improving security,” he added.
Kamau highlighted the importance of such platforms noting that they have proven to be effective in the past as members of the public are more likely to volunteer information in such informal settings instead of expecting them to report or visit police stations.
“We have had cases where the community looks at the police and local administration as heartless or unapproachable, today we are here to try and change that narrative,” he noted.
Kamau said that communities play a vital role in maintaining security in their areas and therefore working together with the police is important.
“By building partnerships, stakeholders work together to anticipate, identify, prevent and investigate criminal conduct,” Kamau stated.
Kiharu Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Esther Muoto said community policing events are crucial as they give the administrators a platform to interact one on one with the public.
“Such interactions are important as they bridge the gap between the police, NGAO officials and the public making it easy to share information,” She stated.
The ACC emphasized the significance of voluntary participation of the local community in the maintenance of peace recognizing that the police need to be responsive to the communities and their needs.
She noted that joint problem identification and problem solving is a key element of community policing.
Murang’a township MCA, Charles Machigo, on his part said a close working relationship between the police and members of the public is important for peace and security.
“Once the members of the public see they can relate with police officers at a human level it is easier to share information that will lead to improved security in the area,” Machigo said.
The event brought together matatu operators, tuktuk operators, bodaboda riders, students from local colleges, county government enforcement officers, police officers and NGAO.
The various teams took park in tug of war, volley ball, football and 100-meter race.
By Purity Mugo
