The V.I. Police Department will launch a new radio show Thursday as part of its community outreach initiative.

"Police Beat" will debut at 10 a.m. Thursday on radio station WSTX AM 970. The two-hour show also will be videotaped and replayed on the VI Cable Access stations, channel 10 on St. Thomas/St. John and channel 6 on St. Croix.

The show will be hosted by former Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis Jr.

The goal of the VIPD outreach is to increase interaction between the police and the community and to give the public a closer look into the operations of the Police Department. Guests will include VIPD top brass, staff members, criminal justice professionals and key public stakeholders.

Viewers can follow crime trends, receive information on how the VIPD is tackling problems and learn what individuals can do to assist through preventative measures.

The guests on Thursday’s debut program will be Police Commissioner Rodney F. Querrard Sr., St. Croix Police Chief James Parris and St. Thomas, St. John, Water Islands Police Chief Darren Foy.