'Pepper Spray Last Police Option’

Spraying a citizen with pepper is the last thing the Police wants to do, says Deputy Commissioner of Police Rusi­ate Tudravu.

The Police approach and the public reac­tion have not always been compatible and this is what the Police are looking to change, he said.

And the only way out of this is communi­cation.

“We are falling back to our communica­tion. We want to improve in our communi­cation, dialogue and discussions with the general public,” he said.

“I believe that this is the main weapon that can help solve a lot of issues. Our approach to the members of the public and how we talk to them. It is our approach to the mem­bers of the public, the way we talk to them.

“We have been addressing our Police offic­ers on understanding the situation, where they are coming from, and then you talk about it with them. The last thing we want to do is spray somebody.”

There have been times when the Police’s approach to even small matters has been less than desirable and professional.

However, there are times when the public is at fault as well. Mr Tudravu hopes for a mutual understanding between the Police and the community. He said the Police was there for the public.

“I am urging the members of the public to come out and enjoy themselves but enjoy within the ambit of the law,” he said.

“We are doing all these things; the man­power deployment and we are committing a lot to public safety. We are mandated to do this but there is a sacrifice made by Police officers, that is the time with their families, I hope the general public acknowledges this.

“We should walk hand in hand to reach that safe and enjoyable environment that everyone is hoping for.”

Edited by Ivamere Nataro

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