Thika deputy OCPD Mary Kiarie has asked the area residents to stop fearing police officers but instead establish a good working relationship with them to reduce crime in the area.
"Days when Kenyans used to fear us are long gone. People should know that today’s police service is friendly and willing to work with the public to contain insecurity," she said.
Kiarie revealed that they needed information from the public that will assist them to get leads to criminal activities. She noted that achieving that would only be prompted by close working relationship between the police and members of the public.
She regretted that a section of Majengo residents, a place well known as ‘crime zone’ still fear police and have a mentality that they can be arrested without being found on the wrong side of the law.
"Residents should do away with the bad blood that has been there between members of the public and security officers to help us contain this menace that kills good governance," she said.
The police boss urged the residents to get telephone numbers of security personnel, adding that they can call in in times of distress for prompt action.
She assured residents that police have been trained on good relations with the public after realising that security is not a one man's show.
"Fearing police officers has denied security agents vital information that can help curb crime in Thika region, help us secure our region by giving us crime tip offs," she said.