Community policing certificates for 26 police officers

By Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Twenty-six policemen who successfully completed a course on community policing were awarded certificates by the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom John Rankin and Inspector General of Police (IGP) N.K. Illangakoon at Police Headquarters last week.

The Chief Guest, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom (UK) in Sri Lanka John Ranking said although this was the first batch of officers to graduate under this program, the Scottish government, the Asia Foundation and the Scottish academy will be here for a long-term program to train 98 Assistant Superintendents of Police in Community Policing. With peace in the country there is an opportunity to move towards normal policing in the country to build sustainable peace, he said.

IGP Illangakoon said those who have completed the community policing course will return to their stations to implement what they have studied and to build a rapport with the public and to gain their confidence for better policing. "I am sure the training the officers received will help to uplift the standard of the police service. The valuable assistance provided by the Scottish government to the Sri Lanka Police is greatly appreciated." The IGP also thanked the Asia Foundation for providing assistance to train police officers to be conversant in Tamil language.

Senior DIG (Administration) and Chairman, Community Policing Monitoring Committee Gamini Navaratne said although Community Policing was done 30-40 years ago it was not regularised as such. He said the training of local policemen by Scottish experts in Community Policing will help to foster a better relationship with the public after terrorism was eradicated.

Superintendent of Police Ajith Rohana proposed the vote of thanks.