Asian Police Officials Discuss Trust, Crime Prevention and Policing in the Digital Age.
Dubai: Police and crime-prevention officials from across Asia gathered in Abu Dhabi to exchange perspectives on community policing, strengthening public trust and developing new approaches to creating safer communities.
The discussion took place on September 29 during a Philippine-led ancillary session held as part of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the ADNEC Centre.
Titled “Community Policing in Asia: Innovative Local Approaches for Preventing Crime and Building Safer Communities,” the session was led by the Philippines’ National Police Commission (Napolcom), in partnership with the National Police Agency, the National Crime Prevention Section and the Asian Crime Prevention Foundation.
No one-size-fits-all approach
Officials from the Philippines, Japan, Singapore and Korea shared their experiences and perspectives on community policing, with discussions highlighting that there is no universal approach that works for every country or community.
The Philippine Embassy in the UAE said effective community-policing strategies must take into account local conditions, institutional frameworks, cultural differences and the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Speakers also emphasised the importance of strengthening public trust and promoting closer cooperation between police, local authorities and communities.
They highlighted the value of preventive, people-centred approaches to public safety, focusing on reducing risks and preventing crime rather than relying solely on action after an offence has occurred.
Policing in a changing environment
The discussions also explored how community policing needs to evolve in response to emerging risks and challenges in the digital age.
The Philippine Embassy in the UAE noted that community policing must adapt as communities increasingly extend beyond traditional physical neighbourhoods into online and digital spaces.
This changing environment requires law enforcement agencies to consider how community engagement, trust-building and crime-prevention strategies can be applied effectively in both physical and digital settings.
The session also highlighted the role of community policing in supporting crime-prevention efforts and contributing to the broader objectives of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Strengthening Asian cooperation
The Philippine-led session provided a platform for law-enforcement and crime-prevention institutions from across Asia to exchange experiences, share practices and strengthen regional cooperation.
Participants expressed support for continued knowledge-sharing, with a focus on adapting lessons and approaches from different countries to meet the specific needs and circumstances of local communities.
The broader aim is to strengthen public trust, prevent crime and contribute to safer, more resilient communities across Asia and beyond.
The session was moderated by Ricarte Abejuela III, Director at the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
Speakers included Rafael Vicente Calinisan, Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer of Napolcom; Napolcom Commissioner Josephus Angan; Napolcom Director Donna Lynn Abaya-Caparas; Kazuya Tanaka, Assistant Director for Community Police Affairs at Japan’s National Police Agency; Assistant Commissioner Louis Loke, Director of the Community Partnership Department at the Singapore Police Force; and Theodore Andrei Bauzon, Consul at the Philippine Embassy in Vienna.
On the sidelines of the session, Alfonso Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE and head of the Philippine delegation, met with Assistant Commissioner Loke of the Singapore Police Force.
The meeting focused on strengthening professional ties and encouraging continued exchanges on community policing, crime prevention and approaches to building safer and more resilient communities.
Global focus on crime prevention
The 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice brought together governments, law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to discuss key issues related to crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law.
Held under the theme “Protecting People and Planet, Achieving the 2030 Agenda in the Digital Age,” the congress provided a global platform for exchanging knowledge, discussing policies and strengthening international cooperation towards building safer and more just societies.
The Abu Dhabi session added an Asian perspective to the wider global dialogue, highlighting the importance of public trust, strong partnerships and community-policing strategies tailored to local needs and circumstances.
It also reinforced the role of cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, governments and communities in addressing evolving security challenges and promoting safer, more resilient societies.
