Kathmandu, June 14

Inspector General of Police Sarbendra Khanal said Nepal Police adopted Community-Police Partnership programme as a strategy to maintain peace and security in society through a systematic partnership between the security agency and people.

He said the programme was a paradigm shift in policing approach.

Community-Police Partnership, a nationwide programme, was officially launched on October 28 with approval of the government and is reckoned as a significant aspect in shaping the contemporary policing. “This concept is built on the theme, ‘security is the pre-requisite of development and development is the foundation of a secure society. We cannot imagine a prosperous and developed country without peace and security. The programme focuses on achieving national security envisioned by the constitution,” IGP Khanal told THT.

He further said though this programme was still at its early stage, it could be a model for many other countries. “This new concept encompasses a shift in policing approach, from traditional community police service to a more credible and vibrant partnership between the community and police. It also expands the concept of community police from urban to nook and corner of the country thereby effectively meeting the growing policing demands,” he said.

The concept was drafted and put in place following an intensive study, research and analysis of past criminal cases, age categories of suspects, perpetrators and victims, influencing factors and environment, and ongoing international practices to combat emergency security challenges. This study also involved focus group discussions along with wider consultations with experts from public and private spheres.

Scope of Community-Police Partnership entails a range of specific thematic issues of policing and community security. They include community sensitisation and crime prevention, police-school liaison programmes, effective security coordination on local level service, instalment and expansion of technical security devices, including CCTV cameras, effective mobilisation of police, integrated mobilisation of volunteers, creative support of community in arresting the absconding criminals, information exchange, data collection and update, and environmental protection and controlling the exploitation of natural resources.

“This is an innovative fusion of traditional and technology-based policing. More than 4,000 highly sensitive and strategic locations have been brought under CCTV coverage since the implementation of the programme. CCTVs are serving as a third eye of police as per the principle that our command should go beyond the horizon,” he said. Nepal Police is also doing a groundwork to establish a CCTV national grid for effective crime control and prevention measures and investigation.

Under this approach, Nepal Police has developed a comprehensive national partnership by  forming committees at district, municipality, ward and school levels. The committees comprise Nepal Police, government agencies, community service centres, social and non-profit organisations, women, children and youth related organisations and schools. They will work together in line with a curricula for controlling crimes, raising public awareness against social evils like dowry system, and for enhancing community security.

Burning issues of cybercrime, violence against women and children, rape and attempted rape, organised crime and road safety are priority areas of intervention. “We have already reached more than four million schoolchildren and their guardians for promotion of security starting from home. Concerned police units have been providing basic physical security tips and training and information about the provisions stipulated in the new Criminal Code Act to the young generation in a bid to make them police without uniform,” Khanal said. This concept also envisions a public audit system which helps to keep police personnel away from bribery and financial irregularities, making them responsible in discharging their duties.

All 753 local levels have signed a memorandum of understanding with Nepal Police for implementation of the Community-Police Partnership programme. “It is spontaneously gathering support and is gaining momentum. Communities and the concerned institutions have shown signs of active participation to enhance security through public awareness and proactive community-based interventions,” IGP Khanal said.