A STRABANE police chief has said he envisages a day where members of the clergy will go out on patrol with the PSNI in Strabane.
It follows the launch of a new scheme in the district, aimed at developing the existing good relationships with the clergy into an organised forum to improve community safety for local people.
The 'Faith in Policing' scheme aims to develop an ongoing and dedicated relationship in order to work together on local community concerns and policing issues.
The scheme has been developed by Inspector Graham Dodds, sector commander for Strabane Rural.
"Police in Strabane are focused on transparent, accountable and community-focused operations. Faith groups are a major part of this vibrant local community and we want to work with them to make a safer community for all residents,' he said.
"Churches are an organised groupings that can provide valuable assistance in giving us the views on what local people want us to do and allow us to get important messages to a large audience".
The scheme will work in three main areas.
"First, it will involve regular open meetings/workshops with clergy and congregation members to discuss community concerns and seek views on how they can be resolved.
"Police will also provide briefings on local operations and information on crime trends and ways to prevent them.
The next element will be the publication of 'E-Newsletters' that will be sent to clergy for distribution to congregations via parish magazines and as individual publications.
"These will include information on local crime issues, policing projects and contact details for officers in the district.
The final, and most progressive, element will be the appointment of local clergy as Police Chaplains to their local stations across the district on a voluntary basis.
"The &roles; of these chaplains will include going on patrol with officers to gain a full picture of the nature of their work, visiting stations to meet with staff and advising officers on the resolution of local issues.
This is a totally new development in Strabane District and indeed across the PSNI as a whole and Inspector Dodds commented: "I want to gain the deepest level of community engagement and community safety that I possibly can.
"This unique scheme aims to open up local policing to a major section of the population and co-operate with them to develop the policing they want.
"Local clergy have been of vital assistance over the years and I want to thank them for that and ask for their help in progressing local policing in a positive fashion. Churches and faith groups have the power to help local police in reducing crime and developing relations. "The initial meetings I have had with clergy to discuss the scheme have generated favourable opinions and I am fully behind the scheme and its place in local policing.
"With goodwill and time, this scheme will be for the benefit of all of our community in the Strabane district".
Inspector Dodds is asking all local clergy and congregation members to take part in the scheme, with any suggestions welcome to develop it. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Constable Ray Kelly (scheme manager), Strabane Neighbourhood Policing Team, 23 Bowling Green, Strabane or on 0845 600 8000. The first event of the scheme will be a police and clergy breakfast on Thursday 20th September at 8am.
