Community Policing Now in Makkah

Community Policing to Make Makkah Crime-Free

JEDDAH, 13 May 2007 — For the first time, Saudi Arabia will introduce a community policing system in Makkah as part of its efforts to make the holy city crime-free. The Interior Ministry has approved the system, which aims to enhance participation of the local community in increasing security. Makkah police have already started implementing the first phase of the program in association with community centers in the King Fahd and Misfala districts of the city, said Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman of the police. “We have received approval from Prince Muhammad ibn Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, to introduce the new system in a number of Makkah districts,” Maiman said. The concept of community policing comprises security, social, humanitarian and economic aspects, the spokesman said, adding that it was proposed at a seminar organized by the Naif Arab University. “The system will create a sense of security among members of the public living in various districts and will make use of their capabilities for public good,” he added. Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, had previously disclosed his department’s plan to introduce a community police system in order to cut down on the number of crimes and promote friendly relations between the police and society. A number of countries have introduced the system, which has been found to be successful in cutting down crime rates, instrumental in creating a new police culture among security officers and affirming the community’s increased role in maintaining security. “This system will also generate confidence between the police and society,” the spokesman said. During the experimental operation, police will check the system’s effects on reducing traffic accidents and violations. “In the first phase, the project will target both Saudis and expatriates living in a district, including men, women, the elderly and children,” said Al-Qahtani. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening family, social and humanitarian relations among members of a community in a particular district, adding that community volunteers would be trained on how to provide a patrol service. Makkah people have welcomed the system. About 48 percent of people interviewed in a survey conducted by Makkah police said that the police alone would not be able to establish security without the cooperation of community and 8.78 percent of participants stressed the role of community centers in promoting security. The majority of participants agreed on the need for government departments, other than security bodies, participating in efforts to enhance security. About 75 percent emphasized the role of private organizations in boosting security, while 2.9 percent said they would not hesitate to give evidence in security-related matters and appear as witnesses. The basic idea of community policing is to create bonds of trust and reliance between the police and the public. Cities and towns that subscribe to this philosophy tend to do much more community work than traditional police departments.