Police in Dedza establish crime prevention panels

Communities in Dedza have commended police in the district for establishing crime prevention panels (CPP).

Group village head Mzengeleza said this on Friday during distribution of reflectors to 11 newly-established CPPs in Traditional Authority Kaphuka.

“The CPPs will fill the security gap in communities as they will be the first point of contact,” he said.

Dedza Police Station officer-in-charge Mavuto Noel M’bobo advised the CPP members to be diligent and trustworthy.

“It is only by following laid down procedures and policies that will make the CCPs accomplish their mission,” he said.

Dedza Police Station deputy spokesperson Cassim Manda said the CPPs are established under community policing as a  way of engaging community members in fighting crime.

“It is also aimed at building a good working relationship between police and the public,” he said.

Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice (CCJP) coordinator for Dedza, Lawrence Puliti,said the establishment of the CPPs will help the police to fight crime.

“We ask the police to be professional in rural areas. There have been reports where the police threaten people just because they are uneducated and they don’t know their rights, but our Constitution mandates them [police]

to protect people and property,” he said.