Police Officers Tasked to Serve as Agents of Positive Change

The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, has called on police officers to strengthen public trust and inspire confidence by serving as protectors, listeners and agents of positive change within their communities.

He made the call during the closing ceremony of a 15-day community policing workshop organized for 90 police officers in the Upper West Region.

The training formed part of efforts to improve police-community relations and enhance security through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities.

Addressing participants at the ceremony, DCOP Yiribaare reminded the officers that policing goes beyond enforcing laws and maintaining order. According to him, modern policing requires professionalism, empathy, integrity and stronger engagement with the public.

“You were selected not only to represent your districts, but to become ambassadors of positive policing and positive change in the locations you serve,” he stated.

He urged the officers to demonstrate dedication and professionalism in the discharge of their duties so that communities would see them as approachable, dependable and trustworthy public servants.

“Let the community see you as officers who listen, officers who protect, officers who inspire confidence and officers who serve as a vital bridge between the communities and the police that you serve,” he added.

Also speaking at the event, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Coastal State Stability Mechanism (CSSM) and International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amos Nunifant, encouraged officers to apply the knowledge and values gained from the training to improve community policing across the country.

According to him, the training was not only intended to strengthen technical skills, but also to shape the attitudes and approaches required for effective policing in modern communities.

“This training has not only built technical knowledge, but also strengthened attitudes, values and approaches that are critical to effective community policing,” he said.

He further encouraged the officers to transfer the knowledge acquired to their colleagues and continue engaging communities with professionalism, empathy and respect.

“As you return to your respective districts, I encourage you to carry these lessons forward, apply what you have learned, share it with your colleagues, and continue to engage communities with professionalism, respect and empathy,” he stated.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanger Puozuing, also called for a new approach to policing in response to rising violent extremism, cross-border crimes, misinformation and communal tensions.

According to him, security challenges can no longer be addressed through enforcement alone, stressing the need for collaboration between citizens and security agencies.

“Security can no longer be achieved through enforcement alone,” he said, urging “citizens and security institutions to work together in mutual trust and shared responsibility.”

He described community policing as one of the most effective pillars of modern security management and praised initiatives aimed at promoting conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, community engagement and respect for human rights.

The Regional Minister added that such skills are essential in building responsive, accountable and people-centered policing capable of addressing emerging security threats across the country.