Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has
called on Police Strategic Managers comprising DIGs, AIGs, Command CPs to brace
up to drive a professionally competent force, to be hinged on the rule of law.
“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.” Egbetokun
This is just as he warned that under his watch, complacency
and indifference will not be tolerated from senior officers.
He has also ordered the establishment of Quick Response
Squads to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on.
Giving his inaugural address to the strategic managers at a
meeting on Friday, the IGP said, “My esteemed strategic police managers, let us
embark on this journey together, with a shared vision of having a Police
Force that is professionally competent, service driven, rule
of law compliant, and people friendly, a police force that will effectively
support the agenda of government for economic recovery, growth, as well as
social and political development of our dear country Nigeria”.
His words, “I am deeply honored to address this gathering of
esteemed Senior Police Managers who represent the backbone of our nation’s
policing architecture. Together, we shall embark on a mission to uphold
justice, fairness, protect human dignity, and restore standards and values of
the Nigeria Police Force.
“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.
“One of the foremost thrust of my administration is
upholding the sanctity of our legal framework with a view to standardizing the
policing profession viz-a-viz driving transformative agenda, embracing the
principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while
upholding the rights and welfare of both our officers and the communities we
serve.
“The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to
stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the
security and safety of our society, 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.
“Furthermore, we shall embrace innovation and technology as
powerful allies in our 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.
“As leaders, we must be attuned to the needs of our
officers. They face immense challenges on the frontlines, risking their lives
to protect our communities. 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.
“In recognition of the invaluable contributions made by the
officers of the Nigeria Police Force in the face of daunting challenges, we are
implementing a new Recognition and Reward system that aims to better motivate
and encourage our dedicated personnel.
“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.
“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.
“But let us not forget that at the heart of our work are the
people we serve. We must be the compassionate face of law enforcement, ever
mindful of the impact our actions have on individuals and communities. Let us
build bridges of trust with the people, understanding that our success hinges
on their support and cooperation.
“Community policing, through a more vibrant engagement of
the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), and the establishment of a
Citizens Engagement Focus Group, and general review of the Federal Government
Community Policing Scheme, must become the cornerstone of our strategy, forging
partnerships with citizens, civil society organizations, and local leaders to
collectively tackle the challenges we face.
“Furthermore, let us engage with the communities we serve.
We must bridge the gap between the police and the public, fostering trust,
understanding, and mutual respect. We cannot police a society without being a
part of it. We must be accessible, empathetic, and responsive to the concerns
of the people.
“Together, we will shape a future where justice triumphs,
where the vulnerable find solace, where citizens go about their lawful
businesses without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every citizen
can truly believe in the power of law enforcement. I believe in you and I trust
in your cooperation on this journey.”
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Please do. May God help you. Cos from what we hear from outside the recent retired IG was so autocratic and nepotic
ReplyDeleteWe have heard that so many times. Until we see it all that means nothing to us. South East nigeria is like occupied palestine but crime is happening under their extorting and brutality and injustice.
ReplyDelete