Kisumu County residents have been urged to embrace community policing in the fight against crime.
Assistant Inspector General of police Joseph Keitany says security will improve if the residents embrace community policing initiatives.
He said there is a need to strengthen the community policing and ensure they remain active at all corners in the country on Tuesday during the official opening of Akado AP post in Seme Sub-County.
"The war on serious crimes cannot be won without the cooperative effort of the public and the security agents," the AIG said.
Keitany asked the residents to work with police to weed out criminals among them.
“If the locals can fully embrace the initiative then it will significantly reduce crime in the county,” he said.
Keitany said some residents are still afraid of volunteering information to police.
He added: “Police should not be taken as enemies of locals but those at their service.”
He assured the residents that any crucial reports given to the police will be treated with confidence.
“The problem locals have is that they fear the police. The police are here to maintain law and order,” Keitany stressed.
He urged the public to shun negative perceptions against law enforcers and instead join hands with them in the fight against crime.
Keitany said many crimes go unreported because the residents do not play their role.
Seme MP James Nyikal who was in attendance challenged the local community to partner with the security personnel in fighting crime to ensure development thrives in a peaceful environment.
Nyikal called on security officers in the region to establish a cordial relationship with members of the public to enable them gain information in confidence.