The last few months have been quite a tense time in Haringey, even for a borough that has witnessed some remarkable events.  

Two and a half years ago the people of the borough suffered the shock of seeing their livelihoods, local amenities, leisure activities and way of life destroyed, for some irrevocably. In the early part of January the borough, as one, held its breath with concern that the repairs, physical and emotional, that had been made by many in the intervening period would be destroyed again. But fortunately that did not happen. The outcome of the inquest into the death of Mark Duggan was marked with dismay by some but with dignity and a deep desire not to repeat the mayhem of August 2011.

I attended one of many religious services remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust. The journey that the world has travelled since then continues to be a very difficult one at times, but regardless we all must travel together because the destination of healing and rebuilding of trust is imperative. The remembrance service prompted me, of course, to continue thinking about the journey that the police and sections of the community in Haringey have travelled - it has at times been a bumpy and uncomfortable one.

Many people who have travelled the longer distance with the police here are sometimes disappointed that the pace of journey has not been quicker. Recent experiences in Haringey should give us the impetus to speed up. I want us to do this by a number of means, firstly to continue the challenging conversations and, at times, critical feedback that we, the police, have received from sections of our community. I want to reach the position where all young people see an officer in uniform as source of comfort rather than as a figure of concern: where a police officer walking into any classroom creates as little change in pupils' level of anxiety as their regular teacher walking into the room. I want the police and our partners continuing to work collaboratively and to continue to keep all sections of the community safe.

2014 has started with a great opportunity for the people Haringey to continue the healing process between the police and parts of the community - and between different sections of the community. It is a rare opportunity that I, we, intend to seize with both hands to help speed up our journey.