Crime Consultative Committees have been formed at a substantial number of stations to provide a forum for sharing information and formulation of crime fighting strategies between the police and the public. The committee is meant to bring together the police and the community to discuss issues of mutual concern and provide the police with the opportunity to explain the rationale of their actions and approach. Our experience in most Provinces in this country has taught us precautions, which have to be taken to ensure the committees, are effective and credible. These are:
1. The organisation and the control of the committee should not be in the hands of the police, although that may be required in its formative stages.
2. It should reflect as far as possible, the community it represents, including not only those who live within the area, but those who serve it through the local politics, social agencies e.t.c.
Where crime committees have been formed crime figures have gone down significantly.The objective behind this programme is to enhance the capacity of all stakeholders and make them understand deeper the crime situation in their respective areas. They hold meetings with the police once a month where they share ideas, putting in place crime reduction strategies.
Composition
- Traditional leaders
Opinion leaders - Community leaders and the Business community
- Government Departments and Non Governmental Organisations
Advantages
- Constant flow of information that assists in fighting crime.
- Community involvement in the fight against crime and the reduction of crime.
- Builds confidence between the Police and the Public.
Organisation and Structures
- Stations can adopt the ward and Section structures to harmonise operations of the Crime Consultative Committees.
- The meetings of these committees are to be chaired by the Chairperson and Officer in Charge of that particular area will be the Secretary.
- Other members are drawn from the community and these should include the Chief Warden at Station level.
- Each Station should have one overall Crime consultative Committee that draws its membership from the various ward Crime Consultative Committees.