By Jones Gadama
Government ministers, community leaders and residents have gathered in Chikwawa today for Community Policing Day, an event aimed at building trust between the public and law enforcement and strengthening partnerships for safer communities.
The event is taking place at Sekeni Ground in Nchalo, Chikwawa, starting at 12:00 PM. Organizers say the day will focus on dialogue, collaboration and practical ways communities can work with police to prevent crime and improve security at the local level.
Under the theme “Building Trust, Strengthening Partnerships and Working Together for Safer Communities,” the event brings together senior government officials and local stakeholders. Among those present are Minister of Homeland Security Hon. Peter Mukhito, Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Hon. Mary Navicha, M.P., Minister of Information and Digitalization Hon. Dr. Moses Kunkuyu, M.P., Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Dr. Ephraim Mganda Chiume, M.P., and Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Hon. Norman Chisale, M.P.
Speaking ahead of the event, organizers said Community Policing Day is part of government’s broader effort to decentralize security initiatives and give communities a direct voice in how policing is delivered in their areas.
“Security is not just the job of the police. It requires cooperation between officers, traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth and every resident,” one official said. “Today in Chikwawa, we are putting that partnership into practice.”
The program is expected to include community engagement sessions, demonstrations of community policing models, and open forums where residents can raise concerns directly with ministers and senior officers. Officials said feedback from the event will inform policy adjustments to improve responsiveness and accountability in policing.
Chikwawa was chosen for this year’s national event due to its active community policing forums and ongoing efforts to address cross-border crime and rural security challenges. Local leaders said hosting the event would help galvanize support for existing initiatives and encourage more residents to participate.
Community Policing Day has been marked annually as part of Malawi’s push to shift from reactive policing to a model that prioritizes prevention, trust-building and shared responsibility.
