By Moses M. Tokpah/MARGIBI
The Margibi detachment of the Liberia National Police (LNP) has concluded a one-day stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Kakata.
The event, held at the Kakata City Hall on March 4, 2024, brought together local officials, media representatives, driver and motorcycle unions, and community leaders to review past efforts and discuss new strategies for improving policing services in the county.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick B. Kormazu, who has been leading the Margibi detachment for nearly seven months, highlighted several key challenges that he met in the county.
These include improving police-citizen relations, enhancing cooperation with the media, ensuring security for marketers, and addressing congestion in Kakata City.
Kormazu emphasized the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to alleviate these challenges and provide better services to the community.
The meeting according to him, was part of a broader initiative by the Margibi Police to engage with the community and assess the effectiveness of their strategies.
Since taking over, Kormazu has prioritized building stronger relationships with various sectors, including the media, transport unions, and local authorities.
This approach, notes Kormazu, reflects a commitment to transparency and community policing, aiming to improve trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public.
According to the Margibi Police boss, the meeting is expected to have a positive impact on policing in Margibi County adding that by fostering a collaborative environment, the police aim to enhance their services and address lingering challenges.
He said the involvement of diverse stakeholders ensures that the needs and concerns of all community members are considered, leading to more effective and responsive policing.
Despite the progress made, challenges remain as the police have acknowledged ongoing lapses in their services and expressed a commitment to identifying and addressing these issues.
The police maintained that the support of the community and stakeholders will be crucial in overcoming these challenges and achieving lasting improvements in policing.
Meanwhile, one of the most innovative aspects of the initiative by the detachment, is its focus on community engagement and feedback.
By actively seeking inputs from diverse stakeholders, the Margibi Police are pioneering a more inclusive approach to policing in Liberia.
This collaborative model could serve as a template for other regions, highlighting the potential for community-led policing to enhance public safety and trust.
The engagement meeting was well-received by attendees who praised the police for their willingness to listen and adapt.
Participants from the media, driver and motorcycle unions, and community leaders provided valuable feedback on the police’s performance.
They discussed issues such as the deportment of police officers, the flow of information to the media, and the effectiveness of the decongestion exercise in Kakata.
This open dialogue is seen as crucial for identifying areas for improvement and developing targeted solutions.
Meanwhile, Kormazu has lauded the media, government officials, driver and motorcycle unions, business owners and the citizens of Margibi as a whole for attending the meeting.
He described their participation as valuable contributions and insights that helped guide the discussions and decisions of the police.
Kormazu called on the different sectors and the citizenry of the county to continue working together with the police for the betterment of the county.
He used the occasion to thank the Kakata City Mayor, Rev. Gbarngawoe Eddie Seyboe for the collaboration and the support he had given the detachment in the county.