Why We Are Giving Community Policing Top Priority-IGP

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, on Thursday said the Community Policing Strategy plan will bridge the gap between the Police and the citizens in a manner that will enhance optimal, cost-effective, and sustainable law enforcement service delivery by the Police.

Adamu said this in Akure, while addressing men of the Nigeria police force, in Ondo state.

The police boss said Community Police Officers shall soon be deployed to complement the Police in law enforcement functions within their localities by performing low-risk and non-sensitive duties.

He maintained that they will also act as liaisons between the Police and their communities. This policing architecture will free-up conventional police personnel that hitherto perform such functions and enhance their manpower profile in relation to deployment to frontline, operational duties when fully implemented.

According to him, in giving effect to this, “we are drawing on the Provisions of the Police Act in relation to the recruitment and utilisation of Special Constables who in this instance, will be engaged as Community Policing Officers (CPOs) under the coordination of the Nigeria Police towards evolving a community-focused policing architecture.

“We have commenced the process of implementing the Community Policing concept which involves the engagement of citizens in identifying and prioritizing prevalent communal security threats as they affect their localities and working together with the police towards developing and implementing solutions to the identified threats”.

Adamu who commended all the strategic Ondo police command have put in place in fighting crimes however charged the command to redouble it efforts in ensuring that the lives and property of the citizens of Ondo state are protected and safe at all times.