The Community Policing concept, supported by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) through its "Programme to Build and Strengthen Police Structures" and being implemented in nine African countries, is to improve public trust in the police and enhance cooperation among the police, the citizenry and the community.

Under the new community policing model, all district police commands across the country will have community policing units.

This came to light during the opening of a five-day training programme on community policing for 58 district police commanders and community policing coordinators selected from Tema and Accra in Accra last Monday.

The participants included 28 senior officers and 28 inspectors and chief inspectors selected from the Greater Accra Region.

During the five days, the participants will be introduced to reforms in the community policing model in Ghana, ethics and professional image building, problem-oriented policing, crime prevention and neighbourhood watch committee concepts.

Transformation

The Director-General in charge of the National Patrol Department of the Ghana Police Service, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Paul Manly Awini, said the service was currently undergoing transformation to position it "as the most respected institution in Ghana and a reference point for the rest of the world".

Such a vision, he said, could only be achieved through intended actions on the part of the police.

"We must do the right things to bring the public to our side; do things that will be pleasing to them, so they will start respecting us. Respect cannot be bought or attained out of intimidation; it must be earned through our service," he said.

In line with plans, he said, the Police Administration had adopted three approaches, including going back to the basics to do the right things and making “sure we win the confidence and trust of the public”.

He said policing was a shared responsibility between the police and the public, not for only the Police Service.

Safe communities

The Country Manager of the GIZ Police Programme, Mr Philipp Niehenke, said the 'Programme to Build and Strengthen Police Structures in selected partner countries in Africa’ commenced in Ghana after the German Federal Foreign Office had invited Ghana to become part of it in 2019.

In Ghana, he said, the programme was focused on the training system of the Ghana Police Service, police accountability and community policing.

In the area of community policing, he said, GIZ was supporting with the development of a community policing strategy and its implementation.

That, he said, had led to the development of standardised training for policemen and the development of an aide-memoire, which summarises the community policing concept for policemen.

Also, he said, a video footage for sensitising the public was being developed, while a pictorial booklet to be used during police-community engagements was also being worked on.

Currently, he said, all the districts under the piloting of the new community policing model would receive a starter set, including a public address system, a projector, a projector screen and laptop, to support the implementation of community policing at the local levels.

He expressed optimism that the new community policing model would help build safe, secure and peaceful communities through partnership with members of the communities and other stakeholders.