By Augustine Ehikioya
To bring changes to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has handed down strong warning to Strategic Police Managers.
At his maiden meeting with the managers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Abuja on Friday, he said the days of complacency and indifference in the Force is over.
The Police Chief, at the meeting monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA), also promised to tackle crimes and criminality head-on in the country through establishment of Quick Intervention Squad.
He said “Let me make one thing abundantly clear, the days of complacency and indifference are over. We are no longer mere enforcers of the law, we are the vanguards of justice.
“It is our duty to ensure that every citizen, regardless of his/her background, feels safe and secure at all times. Without mincing words, our nation faces an array of complex security challenges that demand our unwavering commitment and resolve.
“We stand at a critical juncture where the trust of the people in our institution hangs in the balance. It is our duty to re-ignite that trust, to be the beacon of hope in times of despair, and to foster an environment where safety and justice are not mere illusions, but the foundations upon which our nation thrives,” he added.
“We must acknowledge the imperfections that exist within our ranks. Let us cast aside complacency and confront the demons that tarnish our profession. We must weed out corruption, for it erodes the very essence of justice we have sworn to uphold.
“We must reject the abuse of power, for it stains the reputation of the uniform we wear with honor. We must cultivate a culture of accountability, for our actions must be a testament to the principles we stand for.
“To my fellow Police Managers, I implore you to lead by example. Let us be the epitome of integrity, resilience, and compassion. Our actions must inspire those who serve under us and those who look up to us for
guidance.
“We must be the guiding light that illuminates the path of righteousness, ensuring that justice is not a distant dream, but a reality for all.”
The Nigeria Police Force under his command, he said, will strive to
stamp out violent crimes, their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of Nigeria.
“Will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head-on with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent
crime reduction strategies.
“This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police.”
According to him, one of the foremost thrust of his administration is upholding the sanctity of legal framework with a view to standardizing
the policing profession, driving transformative agenda, embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while upholding the rights and welfare of both officers and the Nigerian communities.
He said his administration will embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in the fight against crime.
“The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so we must adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. Criminals today are more sophisticated, more organized, and more ruthless than ever before.
“We will further leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of those who seek to disrupt the peace. This we will do through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance our capacity.
“By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient, and our communities more resilient. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies (both domestic and international) to strengthen our intelligence network and dismantle criminal enterprises from their core,” he said.
He said he will prioritize on enhancing the Nigeria Police training curriculum with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes for new recruits and reorientation programmes for serving officers in order to further refine the perception of officers to concepts of human rights, rule of law, and citizen-focused policing.
“The new training curriculum will be produced with inbuilt tests designed to weed out individuals with negative mentality and a high tendency for violence from amongst recruits.” he stated.
On staff welfare, he said “We will make a case for improved welfare for these men and ensure they have the resources, trainings, and support necessary to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism within the ambit of the law.
“Their physical and mental well-being must be our priority, for they are the true custodians of peace. To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical services which will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers.
“Its services will be online, telephone based, as well as in-person to assist officer to better cope with all forms of traumas and other challenges faced on a daily basis,” he said.
The Police Chief said he will also implement a new Recognition and Reward system that will motivate and encourage dedicated personnel.
He said “It is imperative that we acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts, sacrifices, and exceptional performance demonstrated by these officers on a daily basis. This system will not only serve as a means of recognizing outstanding achievements but also as a powerful tool to foster a culture of excellence and inspire others to strive for greatness.
“Through a transparent and fair process, all Police Officers involved in every major achievement will be identified and duly rewarded, be it
through commendations, special assignments, or other tangible
incentives.
“It is believed that by implementing this system, we will not only uplift the morale of our officers but also create an environment that nurtures their professional growth, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective Police Force that serves our nation with utmost dedication and pride,” he said.
