Doha: The Interior Ministry on Wednesday began community police patrols, on foot as well as in vehicles by both men and women, on an experimental basis in the Shamal area.
The service will be officially launched next month.
Eight patrols have been dispatched during the trial run which started two days ago and will continue until March 18.
According to the Arabic daily Al Rayah, Colonel Ali Mohammad Al Naimi, director of the Shamal Security Department, said in a statement that patrols provided by his department serving this area, are on experimental basis preceding the official launch of the community police station in the area.
Al Naimi said that the patrols targeted schools, souks, shops and residential areas in an effort to introduce the concept of community police to citizens and expatriates.
“It will be the responsibility of these patrols to spread awareness about community policing…and to enforce positive relations with the public and close interaction with the residents of the community…This will finally ensure safety for all,” Al Naimi added.
The patrols during the experimental period will be also responsible for conducting a survey of the public’s reaction to the concept of community policing and how the service could be enhanced.
Al Naimi explained that the mission of the community policing is to enhance the partnership between the police force and the local community to promote a safe and stable society through crime prevention.
