I am District Commander for the 4 District Council areas of Fermanagh, Omagh, Cookstown and Dungannon and South Tyrone, known in the policing world as F District. In my role as Commander I want to expand the ways in which I can communicate with people. I talk to many people about policing issues, challenges and successes in my District, I believe this medium is just another way of having those conversations.
Part of the challenge of policing in F District is also what makes it a unique place to live and work.
It's a large district, a true mix of urban and rural. It's my home, the place where I was born and grew up, and it's the place where I am raising my own family. Therefore I have a vested interest in ensuring that a policing service is delivered right and delivered well. It's about all of us feeling safe and staying safe as we live, work and relax.
How do we do it? I would argue that we are already doing it, but I understand that people do not always feel safe, even if the possibility of being a victim of crime is low, and it is low in Fermanagh and Tyrone. How do we increase that feeling of safeness, of reassurance? I have my thoughts and ideas. I have my plans and I think this forum is one of the ways I can share them. I also see it as a way to engage, to gather opinions, experiences and ideas that can help shape our policing service here. It's about personal policing and increasing our visibility, in a way that actually translates into solving problems in neighbourhoods and communities.
Simply, I want to make sure that the people who live and work and visit this area feel safe, secure and confident. I want to do that by making sure that I have officers and staff in the right place at the right time and tasked to deliver a policing service that is relevant and real. That means police officers in the places where you want to see them, when they are needed, doing their jobs. It also means managing your expectations and building an understanding of how we must prioritise and how, working together with you in our communities and neighbourhoods, we can achieve much more.
Chief Constable Matt Baggott's enthusiasm for community policing gives some pointers towards the future direction of our Police Service. This is a road we are already travelling here in F District, with effective neighbourhood teams in all our areas. It is my hope to further promote these teams so that you can get to know your local officers by face and name, helping to provide that personal policing service.
This forum is a two way communications tool. I welcome your thoughts on Policing here in F District. There is much to discuss, and I look forward to it.
Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce
Commander F District
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
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