Ogun state government inaugurates community police advisory committee
The Ogun State Government on Thursday inaugurated an 18 – member Advisory Committee for community policing project with a call on members to help foster “people-friendly and people-oriented police service”, across the state and environs
Penpushing reports that, the inauguration took place at the Governor’s office in Abeokuta, and headed by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona as the chairman, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Kenneth Ebrimson as co-chairman to oversee the take off and operation of the special police constable initiative of the Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu, for community Policing in Nigeria.
The Chairman of the committee was represented by the Dagburewe of Idowa, Oba Yinusa Adekoya, while other members include; leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), heads of security agencies, Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC) and representatives of the three senatorial districts.
The Governor, Dapo Abiodun while addressing the committee pointed out that community policing has gained currency in Nigeria, stating that aside putting people at the centre as partners and stakeholders in crime fighting, there must also be need for more effective, cheaper and efficient in preventing crimes.
Penpushing further reports that, Abiodun further charged the committee to demonstrate accountability and the transparency that are the hallmarks of community policing, and equally pledged that his administration will continue to extend the much-needed cooperation and hand of fellowship to the police and all other security agencies.
The Governor recalled that the government had offered suggestions on how to ensure security, and the preservation of law and order in the state, adding that his administration has offered logistics and material supports, and where necessary and did contribute in promoting the image of the Police.
“Community Policing which started gaining currency in Nigeria, a few years ago, is policing that puts people at the centre, as partners and stakeholders, in crime fighting and crime related challenges. Rather than ‘their police,’ Community Policing becomes ‘our police.’
“It is cheaper, more effective and efficient, and certainly proactive in preventing crimes rather than chasing after criminals. It is gratifying to note that the Nigeria Police is increasingly committed to finding lasting solutions to the unpalatable threats to life, property and business’.
‘If we need to go on memory lane, our erstwhile colonial master saw itself as a master over the people and entrenched a brutal, oppressive and domineering police force policy that distanced the institution from the people’.
“The police was used by the powers-that-be as veritable instruments of oppression, coercion, and intimidation of perceived opponents and enemies. It was not a people’s police. A democratic dispensation such as ours, demands a people-friendly and people-oriented police service, which is in vogue with what is attainable in most parts of the developed world”, Abiodun said
