The Flourishing Place Ministry in collaboration with the Regional Welfare Committee held an event of appreciation for the Police Department of E Division last Tuesday at the Mackenzie Police Station Mess Hall.
Pastor of the Flourishing Place Valerie Sharpe noted that the relationship between the Linden public and the police has been strained since the electricity protests of July 2012 and expressed the hope that the event could be “one way of starting to reconnect and begin to improve the relationship between the police and the community of Linden.”
She said that although police officers tend to be transient residents in Linden, traditionally, there has generally been
a cordial relationship between the police and residents of the community. “When you go, you should be happy to come back because the people of Linden are looking out for you and watching your back as you watch ours,” she said.
The event featured a luncheon in which over 30 police ranks participated along with members of the Flourishing Place and representatives of the Region Ten Welfare Committee.
Sentiments of appreciation for the police and concern for reduction of domestic violence in the community were made by Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and Women’s Affairs Rep-resentative Ernestine Logan, who also observed that while emphasis has been placed on women, consideration must be given to the fact that men also suffer from various forms of domestic abuse from women.
Solomon acknowledged that the general public is quick to “beat up on the police” whenever they are perceived to be inefficient and appreciate the important role of the police when the need for police assistance is immediate. He also echoed Logan’s call for special accommodation to be made for abused women.
‘E’ Division Comman-der Owen Trotz was among several others who also made speeches.
There was also light entertainment which included a vocal solo and a dance.
