By ZACHERY PER
ONE of the major key factors to combat the increasing law and order problems in rural communities is to turn to Community Auxiliary Police (CAP) for effective community policing.
Vice-Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS and Lufa MP Yawa Silupa said this at the passing out of 17 CAP officers at Lufa district station last Friday.
He said increase in the population had pressured the police force to keep up with the growing law and order problems, adding that effective community policing through CAP would lessen the problems.
“The population is increasing faster and we are not able to match it with the number of policemen and women as more money, time and resources are needed to meet the pressing demands, one of the key factors and more comfortable way to address these escalating problems is to train the auxiliary police officers to be based in village communities,” Mr Silupa said.
He supported the initiative with funding of over K14,000 that would be spent on uniforms and other related costs in training the officers.
Mr Silupa challenged the officers to perform to their expectations and avoid compromising their uniforms for personal and selfish gains.
“Make sure the people must not cultivate and smoke marijuana and there must be peace and unity in the district.
“I would like you to support the village court magistrates in dispensing justice in the villages,” Mr Silupa told the officers.
He was committed to renovate the Lufa district police station and the run-down police cell so offenders could be locked up and brought to Goroka to be dealt with further.
He also committed to purchase a new vehicle for Lufa village courts.