The Inspector- General of Police Usman Baba, has warned newly recruited constabulary to stay within the rules of engagement while on patrol.
The IGP who gave the warning to Community Policing Officers , also
said the current leadership of the Force would not hesitate to deal with any CPO, who failed to operate within the limits of his job.
He handed down the warning at a workshop for stakeholders of Community Policing in the South West zone at Police College, Lagos.
The IGP who was represented by the Deputy Inspector- General of Police , Federal Criminal Investigations Department , FCID / DiG South West zone, DIG Johnson Kokumo, said,” While the brains behind such misconducts were promptly identified and dealt with in line with the ethical standards that they are bound by, I consider it essential that I utilize this forum to sound a note of warning to Community Policing Officers to appreciate that their actions should be driven by patriotism and genuine passion for community peace, safety, and security. They should also continue to operate within the limits of their privileges as the Force leadership will continue to isolate and firmly deal with any of them that attempts to destabilize the implementation process and gains of the Community Policing initiative of the Federal Government”
The Police boss explained that the workshop which was being organized across the six geopolitical zones of the country, was designed to deepen the implementation of the Community Policing Model , following its approval and adoption by the Federal Government in Year 2020, as the internal security strategy of the country.
He noted that since the commencement of the phased implementation of the Community Policing Project in Nigeria, lots of grounds which included the recruitment, training, kitting, and deployment of Community Policing Officers (CPOs) across the country as well as the basic training of strategic actors and stakeholders in the community policing implementation process, had been covered.
“As a nation, and for us as the lead law enforcement agency in Nigeria, Community Policing is undoubtedly the way to go in the drive to effectively address the complex and challenging dynamics of crime, and mitigate the challenges associated with our current and emerging internal security realities.
” I am, therefore, excited to note that the Community policing strategy, as approved by the Federal Government, is gradually taking root in Nigeria and is being warmly embraced by our most strategic partners, the Nigerian people” he said.
