U.S. criminologist gives assistance in community policing

US Criminologist and Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), Chuck Wexler interacts with police officers at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room (photo by Erasmus Williams)

ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 6TH 2010 (CUOPM) – In its determination to improve its relationship with the various communities, the Ministry of National Security and Immigration has been getting the assistance of the Government of the United States.

The U.S. Embassy in Barbados recently provided the services of Criminologist and Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) in Washington, D.C., Mr. Chuck Wexler, to engage in discussions with local security personnel and members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA).

Similar workshops were held in Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia in which members of civil society and policy makers were engaged in which interactive sessions of specific scenarios were discussed.

During these sessions, Wexler presented cases for behavioral changes and approach to authority for both groups in order to attain full cooperation within the society.”Our aim is to continue one of the goals in building capacity in our police force and to improve and introduce new techniques. We have received the assistance of the U.S. Embassy in Barbados to support us in the area of community policing as we seek to confront this challenge to our national development,” said Special Advisor in the Ministry of National Security and Immigration, Dr. Norgen Wilson.

Dr. Wilson said that the Ministry intends to continue its relationship with Mr. Wexler. He reported Mr. Wexler as indicating that all the officers who participated in the lecture responded with excitement and willingness to continue to learn more. “Already some communities such as Mc Knight, Trafalgar Village and New Town have had an increase in police foot patrols as well as joint Police/SKNDF foot patrols. These we hope to extend to all communities in the near future as we continue our fight against crime,” said Dr. Wilson.