Joy Anyim
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has inaugurated three community policing-based committees meant to boost the fight against crime and criminality in Lagos State.
According to IGP Adamu, the committees – Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committees (ACPAC), Local Government Advisory committees (LGCPAC) and Divisional Community Policing Committees (DCPC) – which were inaugurated, on Thursday, will be pivotal in gathering intelligence that will aid crime prevention in the state.
Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier inaugurated the State Community Policing Advisory Committee(SCPAC) and State Community Policing Committee.
Speaking at the inauguration, which was held at Police Officers’ Central Mess, Onikan, in Lagos, IGP Adamu, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police(AIG), in-charge of zone 2 Command, Ahmed Iliyasu, said that special constables will also be recruited to act as community police officers.
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The police boss further stated that the committees will cement the partnership between the Police and Members of the Community to fight crimes, criminality, and other social disorder, which will eventually improve the quality of life for everyone.
Stating that the committees were simultaneously inaugurated in 14 Area Command in the state, IGP Adamu said, “Community policing is both a philosophy and an organisational strategy that allows the Police and the Community to work closely together in creative ways to solve the problems of crime, illicit drugs, fear of crime and social disorder.
“The community policing model being envisioned for Nigeria is one that draws on the legal opportunities provided by the Police Act for the engagement of Special Constables who will serve as Community Policing Officers under the coordination of the Nigeria Police towards evolving a community-focused policing architecture.
“This is necessitated by that fact that crime is community based and community based approach is required to effectively address it. In other words, local problems should be given local solutions.
“Provisions for the establishment and utilization of Special Constables are contained in Section 49 of the Police Act and they are appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 50 (1) of the Police Act.
“The plan as approved by the Federal Government is to leverage on these statutory provisions to recruit Special Constables from within the communities, train and kit them and deploy them as Community Police Officers to drive the Community Policing initiative at the grassroots levels.
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“The roles of Community Police Officers include, to manage and support a policing team who patrol smaller geographical areas within the community; to respond quickly to distress calls in their area; to arrest offenders; to prevent breaches of the peace; to take initial action at the scene of crimes; to resolves disputes.
“To deal with traffic accidents and record witness evidence; gathering of intelligence report daily from the community and pass on that intelligence information to the Divisional Police Officer within the area; build formal and effective relationship with the community; give basic crime prevention advice visit schools and give community talks to school children.”
Identifying the roles each committee would play, the police chief said that ACPAC would serves as an advisory committee on community policing, and work at the Area Command level.
“As a wide area advisory body, the ACPAC will have as its members DPOs, officers from other security services and residents considered equipped and predisposed to provide information and other resources to contribute to societal peace, conflict resolution, and safe neighbourhood.
“The ACPAC shall, therefore, comprise of security officers and prominent members of the community that work with the grassroots in various vocations, location and civil society structures,” he said.
He also said LGCPAC will champion community policing development in its area, and work with the Local Government Council Chairman, to provide support for community sensitisation, security awareness and other supports considered essential for community policing to take root and succeed in the communities under the LGA.
While for DCPC, he said the committee would oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of community policing at the grassroots, and at all times be inclusive and adopt the participatory approach.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Hakeem Odumosu, and Deputy Commissioners of Police from Zone 2 Headquarters and Lagos State Command, also attended the event.
