Police making headway with mediation measures

The Public Relations and Complaints Department is reportedly seeing a high level of success with mediation between aggrieved members of the public and police officers.

However, they are reminding the public that solutions to complaints laid at the department will not come overnight.

This from Corporal of Police, Edson Smith attached to the Public Relations and Complaints Department in the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) as he spoke during the latest Cop Chat discussion hosted on WEFM.

Corporal Smith said there are some instances where the department enters into mediation between the two parties, with the consent of the civilian; while others are forwarded up the chain of command for further investigation.

“We have a high success rate review where that [mediation] is concern[ed] because what we recognize is that a lot of people just want an opportunity to express their grievance in a controlled environment and feel like the high command of the organization is hearing them and that helps to strengthen the relationship between internal and external public.”

He explained that the department is expected to follow set procedures which involves escalating matters up the chain of command and as such, matters cannot be resolved on the spot.

“What I do recognize that serves as an issue of contention…in a small minority of persons who come to give reports is that they expect immediate gratification. They want their matter to be dealt with now…when we outline the policies we follow they say ‘that looks like a waste of time’”.

He said the department’s role is to act as a “bridge” between the public and the Police, adding that they are in the “business of building community trust”. However, those within the department recognize the challenges within that role based on the “preconceived notions” members of the public may have about police officers.

Corporal Smith gave the assurance that matters brought to the department are thoroughly investigated, even if the final result of the investigation is not released to the public.

Without sharing precise details as to when and how, Corporal Smith revealed that there is expected to be a change of location for the department, recognizing that its present location at the Central Police Station can be an intimidating factor for members of the public when they wish to make reports.

“I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but that may change, because we know it adds to the tension when you come to make a report. We try to explain to the public that it is a barracks, there are security protocols we must enforce but as time goes by-I am not sure when- that we should be getting a change in location, the complaints element.”

Last month, 19 police officers received formal and strategic training in public relations and head of the Public Relations and Complaints Department, Superintendent of Police, Junior Simmons said these ones will “add to the pool” of officers who will be called on when the department requires “beefing” up.