IG warns constabularies against unethical behaviors 

By: Bodunrin Kayode

The inspector General of Police Usman Baba has warned constabularies also known as community police officers against unethical behaviors that would bring odium to the force. 

He said that those recruited under the local constabulary laws as community police men were not regular police which is why they should not go about committing atrocities under the guise of being members of the Nigerian police force. 

While flagging off a two days workshop for 300 community policing stake holders in the north east zone of the country in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the IG said that the introduction of community Policing will ease the many gaps in the entire policing system in the country. 

The IG who was represented at a training workshop for stakeholders on  community policing in Maiduguri by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Mohammed Zannah said that the workshop, which is being organized across the six geopolitical zones of the country, is designed to deepen the implementation of the Community Policing Model following its approval and adoption by the Federal Government in tbe year 2020 as the internal security strategy of the country.

His words: “I wish to, particularly, note that since the commencement of the phased implementation of the Community Policing Project in Nigeria, lots of grounds have been covered. 

” These include the recruitment, training, kitting, and deployment of Community

Policing Officers across the country as well as the basic training of strategic actors and stakeholders in the community policing implementation process.

“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 roots in Nigeria and is being warmly embraced by our most strategic partners, the Nigerian people.

” Public trust, consent, and partnership are historically, the foundations upon which effective policing rests and these are the principles that drive the community policing approach to internal security management. It is not a new lexicon in policing practice.

” Indeed, it is a time-tested, law enforcement Model that focuses on sharing the responsibility of communal safety and security with the citizens through the adoption of the well-founded principle of partnership between the police and the citizens they serve. towards mutually identifying security threats and building trust and synergy in solving them. “

The IG noted that Community Policing is cost-effective and an all-society approach to management of fear of crime and security threats even as it strengthens the bond between the Police institution and the citizens in confronting the common enemies who are the criminal elements existing within us, and who are bent on altering our values for peace, safety and security. 

He called on constabularies to continue to operate within the limits of the laws adding that the Federal Government adopted the Model and provided funds for its implementation accordingly. 

“I am delighted to note that the deepening of the practice in Nigeria has galvanized public support for the Nigeria Police, bridged communication gap which has been a factor in the less-than-optimal citizens and Police relationship and aided fundamentally in enhancing our capacity to generate and utilize actionable human intelligence towards stabilizing the internal security order.

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“In building on the gains of the Model, it is imperative that we continue to empower the strategic stakeholders in the implementation process with a view to refreshing and broadening their knowledge and jointly evaluate where we are and where we hope to be within specified time frame in the Project implementation process. This is the primary object of this Workshop.” said the IG. 

The police chief stated that the expected outcomes of this workshop, therefore, are for the Community Policing Officers to be sufficiently exposed to quality knowledge on the community policing strategy with a view to acquiring the right leadership frame that will further deepen the implementation of the initiative at local levels across the country. 

“At this juncture, it is pertinent that I again clarify that Community Policing Officers are not regular police operatives. They are recruited under the Supernumerary Police provisions of the Nigeria Police Act and are expected to voluntarily serve their local communities by complementing the Nigeria Police in guaranteeing community safety. 

“They are to operate under the guidance of the local Police Divisions and the ethical and professional standards associated with the Force.

” This clarification is vital as we have of recent recorded incidences in which such Community Policing Officers

misconstrued their status, and the limitations, their authorities and functions to embarrass the Federal Government and the Force by advancing unjustifiable requests or behaving in unruly manner.

“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 privileges as the Force leadership will continue to isolate and firmly deal with any of them that attempts to destabilise the implementation process and gains of the Community Policing initiative of the Federal Government.”

Also speaking Governor Babagana Zulum noted that community Policing has been recognized as the best way to solve internal security challenges. 

Zulum who was represented by the secretary to the state government Usman Jida Shua called for a partnership between the community Policing system and the state government so that adequate intelligence can be received by all parties. 

He said that a peace deal has been signed by all the political parties represented in the state adding that the public must be more proactive in ensuring that the peace of the state is maintained at all times. 

Also present at the occasion were the chairman of Gazali Consult, Mahdi Gazali, chair of the occasion Alhaji Gambo Gubio, Commissioners of Police of Borno and Yobe states respectively and police officers and men from all the north Eastern states of the federation.

IG warns constabularies against unethical behaviors