Third Eyes and the Response Units: A Positive Change in Police Attitude 

Third Eyes and the Response Units: A Positive Change in Police Attitude 

By: Balami Lazarus 

As a child growing up in Zaria, it marked the beginning of my understanding of my environment and community. Subsequently, it was my first encounter with law enforcement agents—the police. Later, I came to know and understand that the police are the nearest and closest law officers to the members of the public in Nigeria, which is thus applicable to other countries.  Whereas, the ticking of the clock ushered in the passage of time that has long made nonsense of the Nigeria Police Force, caused or created by their actions and inactions, catalized by some of their officers and men in line of duty in an unprofessional manner, which has muted many patriotic law-abiding citizens from assisting the NPF in policing the country with vital information that will aid in security and prevent crime and criminality for the good of society in general. But their attitude, arising from some bad eggs from the Force, was capped with brutality, corruption, treachery, and unprofessional conduct that decayed the good works of the NPF. 

To my mind, some police are using their privileged positions as law enforcement agents to abuse powers entrusted to them by the government and people of Nigeria, and of course, this has created wide cracks, parting aside confidence and trust between law-abiding citizens and the subject in question. However, that was in the past. Things about them are changing these days. Security is a collective responsibility of all citizens, while the police are the base of the internal security affairs of our dear nation-state, working 24/7, 365 days a year, a year, protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and arresting criminals and offenders for prosecution before courts of competent jurisdiction. Therefore, every good citizen of this country is supposed to be ‘The Third Eyes’ of the NPF in the true sense of security as a way of reducing crime and criminality. 

The changes that took place in recent times in the NPF have brought hope and motivated citizens to participate and take ownership of security issues in their immediate environment by using the phrase “If you see something, say something.” In fact, it has gone down well in homes and families, making people speak out on crime and criminality, including domestic violence that is rampant in some homes. The changes in force operations are the roles undertaken by the police response units, such as the Rapid Response Unit and the Complaint Response Unit, among others. These units are found in various state police commands with phone numbers for public use. These initiatives have endeared citizens to the police. 

In the course of writing this piece, I was impressed with the responses of some people. “The NPF of today is more efficient, responsive, and friendly. Security is now everybody’s business. I now agree that the police are not only your friend but your brother.” My findings further revealed that most law-abiding Nigerians are becoming ‘The Third Eyes’ of the police in their individual neighborhoods. The NPF should endeavor to do more public enlightenment to raise awareness and make their work easier. I believe this will ripple away the black spots dotting our police. 

• Balami, a Publisher/Columnist: 08036779290
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• Third Eyes and the Response Units: A Positive Change in Police Attitude