Acting Police Chief Lincoln Corbette has announced that the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) intends to hold a series of meetings throughout the island to place focus on community policing this year.
He made the announcement during a press conference held recently.
“Community policing is another area we will be focusing on this year,” he said. “We intend to hold a series of meetings and discussions throughout the island and set up neighbourhood watches and other activities.”
This he believes will strengthen the relationship between the police and the public.
“We will have meetings throughout the island, the intention is to set up different groups throughout the communities so that we can better police Dominica,” Corbette stated.
In February 2016, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit revealed that his government will soon approve the implementation of a Community Policing Action Plan for Dominica.
He said on a radio program that his first read of the document shows that it is a good plan.
“I think my first read of it, it appears to be a very well thought plan. I believe that the minister will give the green light before the end of the week…,” he said.
In a press conference held earlier that same month Police Chief, Daniel Carbon said the plan was issued to the Minister of Justice, Immigration and National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore in order to create greater relations between the police and the public.
And according to him, it will cost about $150,000 to launch the plan.
Prime Minister Skerrit also stated that the plan is expected to go a long way in addressing concerns about police interaction with the public on the island.
“If the police implement this Community Policing Plan as stated in the document, I believe it will go a long way in addressing the number of concerns that we have in the communities and how the police interface with the general public,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Corbette stated that Dominica continues to be one of the safest countries in the world, and the OECS with the lowest crime rate.
He said crimes in Dominica are relatively low, “when compared to any other country in the world.”
Notwithstanding this, he pointed out that the country has experienced serious disturbing incidents over the years.
“The police force continually assesses its strategies in an effort to reduce crime and the fear of crime,” he noted.
It is a fact the police are police in name.Recently a 12 year old girl Kernisha Etienne,was allegedly abducted from her home in Warner.The police allowed a potential witness to be interviewed by Matt Peltier on Q95 before they could act.A couple days later Matt tried to contact the witness.By that time the witness had retained a lawyer,who told her,she should say nothing to Matt,and that she should stop talking about the matter.Earl Bruno was on Facebook making a long statement about the abduction the police never questioned him.They have never told Matt he should stop questioning witnesses in criminal matters without the permission of the police,while the matter is being investigated.What happened in Marigot in the presence of ASP Claude Weeks would never happen under any other ASP in the 70’s and 80’s.
In my personal experience, the police are generally well-intentioned in performing their duties, but our small population creates avenues for favoritism when dealing with acquaintances and relatives which could otherwise lead to retribution.
It is no secret who the perps are in each community, but apprehension is better executed by an impartial officer.
I want to know if they will have neighborhood watch groups on tooucari beach and Cabrits cruise ship birth. I been hearing about community policing since Kingdom come so by now Corbett should have written a book on community policing that is used as a training template on who successful community policing is done. Corbett the choksi matter aint over and you have shown a lack of independence and discipline as a police officer and as a result hold no credibility in anything policing. You have not lead men to be brave and uncompromising when it comes to democracy, political interference, justice, discipline and service to the people. You have not encouraged or practiced the true spirit of the oath you took. Hence, anything you try lead is tainted. You have yet to address your involvement in choksi so how then are you still in the force is besides me. If you have any sense of duty you should respect yourself and the country and resign.
Right message – wrong messenger.
The force should present a more progressive senior commander to be the face of this initiative- someone like Mr. Weekes- not Corbett—- if you want to hunt down criminals, bad guys and those who break the law – yes Corbett is your man. But if you want a gentler and softer touch to the police -i.e community relations- please not Lincoln Corbett.- Please.
Already the face, portrait, image, picture of the individual representing the CDPF is a major turn of to many Dominican people. This is a man who sees a major section of the Dominican population as his enemy, because he is politically blinded, blinkered and tainted. Reasons why community policing is like spinning top in mud in Dominica. My solution?
First send home the 5 or 6 top politically tainted police officers. They do not serve Dominica. They serve one corrupt guy. Get rid of open politics/politiking in the CDPF, review the recruitment process for new officers/recruits, have a commissioner that’s not a slave or dotish to politicians. Install a real Police Service Commission. Promotion should be on merit, and not based on riding on anyone’s front or behind. Then start COMMUNITY POLICING!!!
We had community policing before but Skerrit didn’t deem it necessary or didn’t want it anymore for various reasons. Now, as ever, he tries to convince us that he has reinvented the wheel yet again. First he destroys then he rebuilds. Isn’t he a ‘brilliant’ CM?
When the community on a whole fears the police more than the criminals among them then it shows that the police force has failed. Any community policing program must begin with officers being more approachable starting at the helm. The Chief (Carbon), the Deputy (Corbette) and a couple Superintendents are unapproachable. Mr Cuffy, Mr. Weeks and Mr. Valarie are the most approachable senior police officers in the force today. The Deputy, now acting Chief is so unapproachable that not even his own men can tell you where he lives or what his voice sounds like. He don want friends! So how can you lead if you cant do so by example.
Anyway I hope Dr. St. Jean remains involved in the Community Policing Program implementation because it has to be twicked from the original 2016 Program since we are in more dire straights. Officers like Insp. Hillaire should be not be involved while others like Insp. Sye, Insp. Hunter, ASP Weekes, Cpl. Letang and Cpl. Drigo should be leading the charge.
I believe that community policing can make a significant difference in the reduction of crime.
Having said that, law enforcement must attract people of strong moral character, integrity, good negotiation skills, courage, et cetera. The leader must be honest, fair-minded, decisive, losers good communicative and problem solving skills.
What obtains in Dominica as a police force is a bunch of trigger happy thugs with an unhealthy need to intimidate, brutalise, control the people they have vowed to serve and protect.
Most resident Dominicans have lost all trust and confidence in the local police organisation. Revamping of the present law enforcement structure is a necessary ordeal.
Could not have said it better. The current garbadine squad must be examined in depth with a viewing of seriously purging. Like my grandmother would say, a bunch of political boowoe that needs to be corralled and castrated.