Mellieħa recently became the first village to launch the long-awaited Community Policing initiative. This is a joint project between the Police Corps and the Mellieħa Local Council who will work together to identify problems in the community, determine the source of the problems and implement solutions to eliminate them. 

Community Policing is practiced in many European countries and in the United States. Research has found that this initiative yields results and is in fact effective in lowering criminal behaviour and increasing public security. 

The initiative has finally been introduced in Malta and, if implemented well, should yield a number of benefits. One of the benefits is that residents are more likely to cooperate with the Police, to keep an eye out, to look out for their neighbours and report suspicious persons or criminal behaviour when they know they can trust the Police. 

Having said this, going on the beat around the locality and being in touch with the residents is not sufficient. A critical element of community policing is finding solutions to problems. The police are expected to be proactive and creative, not only in addressing problems but also in avoiding them. 

Community Police can be involved in schools to educate through special projects and guide youths. This will help youths build u positive impression of the Police and the members of the Corps who work in the community will gain more respect. Moreover, this will also help the police build a personal bond with the residents which will lead to more individual satisfaction in their work. 

Technology and information sharing have a big part to play in the police being proactive. The same can be said for collaboration, with those who provide social services in the community, with educators, with health professionals and councillors, among others. These partnerships can enhance Police resources and increase their ability to solve problems. 

The success of Community Policing depends on the police’s ability to build a positive relationship with the residents and their initiative when it comes to solving problems. Everyone has an important part to play, irrespective of their title. An effective strategy of Community Policing needs to be implemented so that the project, which is planned to be taken up in other cities and villages, yields the results expected and reaches the aim of improving the quality of life in Maltese society.