The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Monday, harped on the need for police authority in the country to re-strategise and take the police back to the community.
This may not be unconnected with the numerous complaints and human rights abuses perpetrated by the police against some members of the public which eventually led to the banning of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Nigeria) -FSARS by the acting Inspector-General of Police.
Speaking after decorating the newly promoted Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, DIGs, in Abuja, Adamu also stressed the need to stop policing standards and practices for police to regain citizens’ trust.
“We have to also evolve new thoughts and embrace new orientation as a police organisation, to work with the citizens, neighbourhood, and other strategic security actors as a pathway towards addressing communal crimes,”Adamu noted
He stated that “in the coming days, a Community Policing Implementation Steering Committee composed of seasoned Nigerians and experts on community policing will be inaugurated to support us in driving this process.”
The police chief, who also told personnel that under his administration, they have to earn every promotion they get through meritorious service, added that they have to rededicate themselves to service to the Nigeria Police and the nation as according to him,” the task of policing a complex nation like ours is undoubtedly arduous.”
Hear him: “I am glad that the senior officers being decorated are not only professionally and intellectually deep, their wealth of experience shall be helpful in aiding the attainment of my vision and perfecting my goals.
“I therefore, thank the Police Service Commission for supporting the Force in identifying these great professional minds and appointing them as Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the Force Management Team.
“In so doing, let me clearly emphasise that policing standards and practices have to change in Nigeria if only we want to restore citizens’ trust and attain our mandate in the most effective manner.
“We, therefore, need to re-strategise and take the Police back to the community. We have to also evolve new thoughts and embrace new orientation as a police organisation to work with the citizens, neighbourhood, and other strategic security actors as a pathway towards addressing communal crimes.”
Adamu said under his administration, promotion of police personnel will be purely based on merit, tasking officers and men of the Force to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation’s law enforcement agency.
“It is also a clear statement that under my leadership, merit shall be the overriding standard that will guide promotion.
“You need to, therefore, rededicate yourself to service to the Nigeria Police and the nation. The task of policing a complex nation like ours is undoubtedly arduous,” he said.
According to him, “Henceforth, therefore, community policing strategy shall drive policing functions at all levels under my leadership and I look forward to working with the new Force Management Team towards giving effect to this policing vision.”
Adamu said he was particularly delighted over the decoration ceremony because, according to him,” it signifies not just a due reward for the professional excellence that has been the hallmark of the officers being decorated today, but it also marks the effective take off of the management team that will support the actualisation of my policing vision as the 20th indigenous Inspector General of Police.”
While noting that “no organisation rises above the quality, competence and dedication of its management team as well as the depth of the goals set for the organization,” he said, “It is in line with this reality that the emphasis of my leadership is predicated on two critical principles.
“First is to define a clear policing vision and strategy that will guide my leadership in dealing with internal security threats with prioritisation being on the upcoming general elections and highly organised crimes that of national security consequences.
“Second is to identify and emplace sound professional and intellectual minds to support me in giving effect to the strategies towards attaining my policing vision,” he added.
To the new DIGs, he advised “As we celebrate your professional feat today, you must see your elevation as a call to national duty.
“But with your individual and collective experiences, I am confident that together, we can surmount the challenge. ”
