A Police Community Reassurance Taskforce was recently formed to provide reassurance to communities in Tongatapu and ‘Eua, after cyclone Gita.

Deputy Commissioner Pelenatita Fe’ao Vaisuai explained that the main focus of their operation is to reassure communities of their safety, and their work includes visiting and meeting with community leaders, identifying  and reassuring community security concerns, and reactivate community patrol volunteers.

Commissioner Caldwell took the lead and explained the intent of the taskforce to district and town officers on February 16, at a meeting called by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The aim was also made known to the National Forum of Church leaders during their meeting on February 20, calling for assistance in letting their members know that police will be visiting their respective villages to discuss their safety.

“As a community, we need to work together to ensure the safety of everyone. One way to improve this community partnership is allowing communities to take ownership of existing issues and working together to come up with viable solutions.”

The taskforce to date has visited 61 villages throughout Tongatapu, including the islands of ‘Atata and ‘Eueiki.

Meanwhile, this taskforce is timely as there have been six alleged murders in Tonga since February 4, with the latest on March 4, when a 24-year-old man died after he was stabbed during a fight at Fangaloto.