This year’s Police Week featured the unveiling of a new initiative that will place one “community officer” in each of seven different areas on Tortola.
The officers in the Neighbourhood Policing programme will then spend the majority of their time in their respective communities, forging bonds with the people there and responding to their needs, according to Police Commissioner David Morris.
“I often refer to these officers as ‘agents of change,’” Mr. Morris said during a Monday morning press conference held to introduce the officers. “They forge relationships with residents and businesspeople in order to bring together persons from all cultures to make a difference — especially in the more challenging communities.”
The commissioner added that the officers will make a special effort to work with young people.
Mr. Morris said each community officer volunteered for the job, and that they were assigned to their respective communities for specific reasons.
For example, Constable Clyde Potter was assigned to the East End because he grew up in that area.
The officers are:
• Constable Damian Ash: Huntums Ghut and Lower Estate
• Constable Curtis Roberts: Road Town
• Constable Alvin Bolton: Purcell Estate and Baughers Bay
• Constable Clyde Potter: Fat Hogs Bay, East End, and Long Look
• Constable Annelle Francis: West End
• Constable Dwight Williams: The Valley, Virgin Gorda
• Constable Shem Stay: North Sound, Virgin Gorda
See the Feb. 27, 2014 edition for full coverage.
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