Cops call: Be our partner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Come, be our eyes and ears, the City Police have requested the public. They are launching the ‘Partner Us in Security’ initiative which will see scores of the members of the public being trained in fighting crime over three days starting July 28. The initiative is part of the Maithri community policing initiative, City Police Commissioner Manoj Abraham said. The camp will train volunteers in self-defence techniques, intelligence gathering and identification of anti-socials and criminals, the Commissioner said. The syllabus also includes anti-explosives training and identification of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). The police are specifically eyeing Maithri policing initiative volunteers, the youth and about 6,000 private security guards deployed by various firms across the city. The camp, which will be free of cost, will be held at the Armed Reserve Police Camp, Nandavanam. ‘’The scheme involves three steps; free training to all security volunteers, checking of their antecedents and co-ordinating their efforts for better security. And it is proposed to start this training for the following volunteers; security guards in banks, hotels, offices; guards in flats/houses; Maithri volunteers; home guards and youngsters/volunteers from the local areas,’’ the Commissioner said in his statement. Information on latest security equipment, a photo show on wanted criminals and use of cameras are other topics planned. The volunteers, after the training, will assist the police in maintaining law and order in their respective residential areas, Abraham said. They also will be used to collect local intelligence inputs.  ‘’We are sure that this scheme is going to be a big help in coordinating the services of the security guards working in the city and in enhancing the general security of the city,’’ Abraham said. Those who are interested may contact the Community Police Resource Centre, Office of the Commissioner of Police, Thycaud - 695 014. [email protected]. Telephone: 1090. Last date for applying: July 23.