Thiruvananthapuram, Monday 01 November 2010: The Kerala Police is organising an international seminar in Kochi on November 3 and 4 for sharing of experiences on community policing.

It also plans expand community policing to 100 more police stations across the State. Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told the media that 33 countries including United States, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden, Poland, Afghanistan, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia had confirmed their participation.

Chiefs of Police and other officials from these countries would be attending the seminar and exchanging their experiences. Directors General of police from other Indian States and retired police officers like Kiran Bedi would also be attending the conference.

The Minister said that community policing had a history of more than 100 years. Kerala had implemented it in 43 police stations following the recommendations of the K. T. Thomas Commission in 2007. The objectives were to strengthen relations between the people and the police, reduce crimes and improve beat policing.

Kodiyeri said that the results of community policing were mixed internationally. In Kerala, crimes could be brought down in Kochi, Aluwa and Perinthalmanna. The State had won the award for community policing instituted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police recently. The seminar was aimed at review and assessment of international experiences so that Kerala could adopt practices that could be beneficial.

He said that there was opinion that community policing should be introduced across India with Prime Minister Manomohan Singh expressing that view at a conference of Chief Ministers and Home Ministers.

He said that the Union Minister for Home Affairs P. Chidambaram would inaugurate the seminar. Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan would inaugurate the valedictory. Union Ministers of State Mullappally Ramachandran and K. V. Thomas, Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy and Finance Minister T. M. Thomas Isaac would attend.

(News agency)