RCIPS senior officers meet with community on Cayman Brac

Last Thursday, 21 July, ACoP Anthony Ennis and C/Supt. Kurt Walton joined Sister Islands’ Area Commander Wendy Parchment to host a community meeting at the Seamen’s Centre on Cayman Brac. The meeting was well-attended, with fifty residents in attendance to discuss issues of crime and public safety on the island.

ACoP Ennis briefed the audience on the latest police priorities and crime figures, focusing on that of the greatest concern to those present: the twelve burglaries that have occurred since the beginning of the year. “Crime is relative and numbers are relative, but on the Brac twelve burglaries is a lot,” he said, “we know this and we want you to know that cracking down on burglaries is a major priority.” He indicated two detectives in the audience who had come to the Brac specifically to work on these matters.

Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, also present at the meeting, echoed this concern, stating that twelve burglaries were unacceptable, but that “when the police need support they need to get it. Reducing crime requires three elements: the government, the police and the community.”

The need for closer partnership between the police and community was a major theme of the meeting, and C/Supt. Kurt Walton answered questions as well as some criticism from the audience regarding visibility of police around the island and updates on their cases. He explained that victim care, which he described as courtesy, professionalism and respect, as well as keeping victims updated on their cases, had been discussed at length during a staff meeting with Cayman Brac officers that day. “I know that better victim care is critical to our community relationships,” he added, “and I want you to know I am autocratic on this point with officers.”

Substance abuse among young people was also raised by community members active on the issue, and more police intervention was requested to prevent underage drinking in particular. “Youth substance abuse and crime prevention is an area where we want to partner more closely with parents, schools and the community,” said Inspector Parchment, “and we will be looking for ways to do this.”

ACoP Ennis added that efforts are underway to reinvigorate community policing across the service as well as to recruit more local officers during a recruitment drive set to begin on 5 August. “It is important to have a diverse police service that reflects the community it serves,” he said, “and equally important to have a proportionate number of Caymanians.”

ACoP Ennis was happy to point out that two of the RCIPS’ recent recruits were from Cayman Brac, including one who is currently being “fast tracked” on the High Potential Development Scheme to eventually become an inspector. The audience applauded the achievements of these officers, as well as the promotion of Chief Superintendent Kurt Walton, also from Cayman Brac, who will take up the post of Deputy Commissioner in September.

Even though the meeting lasted nearly two hours, attendees stayed long after it concluded to speak with the officers and enjoy food and refreshments.

The RCIPS intends to hold another Community Meeting on Cayman Brac before the end of the year.

IMAGES:
Insp. Parchment, ACoP Ennis and C/Supt. Walton
An audience member addresses the panel
ACoP Ennis addresses the audience
Community members speak with ACoP Ennis and C/Supt Walton after the meeting concludes