The Public Relations and Complaints Department of the local Police Force is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month.

The Public Relations and Complaints Department of the local Police Force is celebrating its 15^th anniversary this month.

A release from the Police says the Department was established on January 4^th 1999, under then Commissioner of Police, William Harry, who is now retired.

Retired Superintendent of Police Artis Davis was the first head of the Department.

According to the release, the Public Relations Department was established mainly to implement programmes which foster closer links with the public and to improve the relationship between the media and the Police.

The current officer in charge of the Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police Jonathan Nicholls, identified the On the Beat programme, which is aired on Monday nights on NBC Radio, as one of the major successes of the Department.

ASP Nicholls said other major achievements include the establishment of Police Youth Clubs across the country, the Pan Against Crime Programme, the Annual Police Caroling Contest and improved relations between the Police and the Media.

A special ceremony will be held this afternoon to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the Department.

The event is scheduled to begin at four at the Police Canteen.