By GENEA NOEL

Freeport News Reporter

genea@nasguard.com

The Neighbourhood Community Policing Initiative has galvanized public support for the police and the public is increasingly becoming willing partners in the fight against crime, National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest said on Friday.

"Relationships are being restored between police and the community where once treacherous events divided them," said Turnquest, adding that we can all rest assured that the police in our community and our country are reaping the benefits of these partnerships.

Turnquest was the guest speaker at Royal Bahamas Police Force Northern Reg-ion's annual ball, marking the 168th year of policing in The Bahamas and celebrating the Yuletide season in thanksgiving and socialization.

The event, held at the Westin at Our Lucaya Bal-lroom, brought together officers of all ranks, who briefly set aside the rigours and pressures of policing.

Under the theme, "A Cultural Affair," they were invited to relax and enjoy lively entertainment from the RBPF Pop Band, Jay Mitchell, The Starlighters and the Arawak Invaders Junkanoo Group, in an intimate atmosphere of dimmed lights and exotic colours.

Noting that a series of infrastructural improvements made by the Police Force in Grand Bahama ensures that officers now work and live in more appropriate quarters, Turnquest said the Police Training College "here in the Northern Bahamas continues to train new recruits and retain serving members of the Force."

He credited the new state-of-the-art tracking communications systems and other technologically advances for policing more effective in Grand Bahama and the entire Bahamas.

"Let me assure the men and women of the police force serving in the Northern Bahamas that this area features prominently in Government's strategic plan for policing in The Bahamas," said Turnquest. "The action we are committed to take as part of this strategic will give new impetus to policing here and will better enable the police to counter new and emerging crime and criminality not only on land, but also on the sea."

The national security minister said that the government's plans include the continued provision of the necessary resources, transportation, equipment and access required by a 21st century police force.

It also encompasses academic and technical training, which includes strategic operations to build closer bilateral and regional working relationships to counter trans-border crime and consolidating and extending "what we have built in Grand Bahama."

Earlier in his address, Turnquest said he was inspired by the camaraderie, friendship and goodwill with which the spirit of Christmas has brought out in the police force family.

"I am reminded that the men and women of the Force are called upon to serve not only with dedication and commitment, but to go wherever the Force takes them in our country of islands," he said.

He noted that as many officers in the northern Bahamas would have served elsewhere in our archipelagic chain, they all share a common purpose and vision and have pledged to uphold the values of courage, integrity and loyalty on the force.

Turnquest said that policing on each island has its own unique challenges and opportunities, and officers must counter, in their own way, the security and safety concerns, stepping to crime and criminality.

This responsibility, he said, has been entrusted to the 444 police officers, 150 reservists and 19 civilians, comprising of the RBPF contingent in this northern area.

"Tonight I say to you that the Government of The Bahamas understands the compelling reasons why we must maintain a strong and vigorous Police Force in Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas," said Turnquest.

He cited the northern region as the closest part to the southern border of the United States and said that the U.S., unfortunately, is the target of a range of illicit activities that transit The Bahamas.

Turnquest said that crime, human smuggling and drug trafficking are not new challenges that officers face, but because of their persistence and unpredictability, policing in these areas requires particular vigilance.

"We know the determined efforts you put into policing the Container Port, which is important to the economy of this region and our country. We also know that you have had to overcome significant challenges from natural disasters here in Grand Bahama, including the recent serious hurricanes."

Turnquest said "Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas have stayed the course and this district continues to make its necessary contributions to nationwide efforts to make our Bahamas safe and secure, and to turn back the tide of crime and criminality."

Assistant Commissioner of Police Eugene Cartwright officially welcomed the attendees and thanked the wider community for their continuous support throughout the years.

Reginald Ferguson, acting Commissioner of Police, was on hand to bring remarks and noted that as the world has had its setbacks, an increasing hatred has grown in the communities. This sadness, he said, cannot be accepted and a zero tolerance for crime should always be in effect.

He added that during this season, the message of peace is strong.