Namibian Police Force (NamPol) Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has said regional community affairs officers are expected to maintain and solicit public trust through daily interactions, without giving much away.

Shikongo said this here on Monday while officially opening the Regional Community Affairs Officers’ community policing and public relations officers workshop.

The four-day workshop is aimed at enhancing the competencies and abilities of participants, enabling them to use all forms of media and information communication tools, and to build mutually beneficial relations between NamPol and its stakeholders.

During his keynote address, Shikongo stated the workshop could not have come at a better time as media, in the current era, play a vital role in both private and public institutions.

“As communication officers your duties should include informing, educating and promoting the image of the police and to maintain the established good rapport with our communities. You are therefore required to grab this opportunity and fully exploit all benefits presented to you during the workshop for the advantage of NamPol and the nation at large,” he said.

The inspector general said the workshop is further aimed at capacitating the participants with delivering effective mitigation approaches when dealing with the public through various media platforms and crime prevention without compromising the integrity of the police force.

“Namibia as a country is part of the global village, therefore it is not only the duty of the regional community affairs or public relations officers to maintain a good image, but the onus rests upon us all,” Shikongo said.

Thirty members consisting of 14 PROs, one community policing member and 15 regional community affairs officers are expected to benefit from the workshop.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency