By Christel Odili
In its bid to ensure maximum service delivery of the Nigerian Police in the country, the Police Service Commission has held a two-day capacity building training on “Effectiveness Communication and Public Relations in Nigeria”
in partnership with CLEEN Foundation, under its Law Enforcement and Public Engagement project in Nigeria organized for Police spokespersons, and members of the force on the need for accountability of police officers.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Habila Joshack highlighted the relevance of a policing system that is accountable as it produces a better society.
According to Mr. Idris, the Public Relations Department of the Nigeria Police Force is relentless on its effort to forestall further denting of its public image, stating that, since the creation of Nigeria Police Public Relations department in 1961, it has evolved over the years with the trends of existing governments and has consistently worked towards the implementation of its mandate.
“However, the conduct of some police personnel has caused serious image for the Force whereby the duties of some police officers have been compromised because of some social maladies plaguing the country as whole. Chiefly, among these is corruption which permeates both the public and private sectors of the country”, he said.
The police chief, who is also accused of corruption by a senator, noted that some” internal working mechanisms” have been introduced by the present police management and “it is yielding positive result to a large extent as incidents of corruption has drastically reduced in the Force.”
“It is common to hear allegations of corruption, incompetency, unprofessional conducts and other questionable practices that have nothing to do with normal police duty or maintenance of law and other being levelled against a few police officers.
“This is premised on our firm conviction that if the image of the Police Force is not good before the public, the effectiveness of the police towards fighting crime and reducing corruption (may be affected)”, he added.
Earlier, Mr. Benson Olugbuo, Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, stated that the involvement of CLEEN in the programme was part of its commitment to the promotion of public safety, security and accessible justice in the country, which it does through empirical studies, legislative advocacy, and demonstration activities in partnership with government agencies, organized private sector and civil society groups.
He noted that, his organization had the mission to hold public institutions including the police accountable to the people. “The foundation has the objective of promoting public safety, security and access to justice. And we do that through empirical research, legislative advocacy and publications in partnership with government, civil society and the private sector.
“We are working closely with the Nigeria police Force to consciously promote its image as well as build community relationship and trust for the institution with some of our projects which include the ‘stop the bribe campaign’, the police station visitor’s week, for the purpose of improving police neighborhood relationship and by extension, building community trust”.
Apart from perceived endemic corruption in the police, the Nigeria Police Force was recently rated the worst in the world by the World Internal Security and Police Index International, WISPI. The 2016 report rates the Nigeria Police Force the “worst” globally in terms of its ability to handle internal security challenges.,
In his remarks, Chairman Board of Directors, CLEEN Foundation, Prof. Etannibi Alemiaka noted that the event was meant to ensure sustainable service delivery of the police Service Commission, which plays an oversight function in monitoring police officers to ensure accountability of the force to the civilian populace, as well as enable members of the public know what police officers on electoral duty should do at every polling unit.
He called for building of public trust and strengthening of good practices in the police, while commending them when necessary and identifying the challenges that need to be addressed to bring out the best in police officers.
Prof. Etannibi also presented the mandate of the commission, which include formulating policies and guidelines for the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of officers of the Nigeria Police Force; identifying factors inhibiting or undermining discipline in the Nigeria Police Force; formulating and implementing policies aimed at enhancing the efficiency and discipline in the force; and performing such other functions which in the opinion of the commission, are required to ensure the optimal efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force.
The event witnessed the presence of, Emmanuel Ojukwu, Provost, Public Relations School of the Nigeria Police Force; Fatima Mohammed, National Human Rights Commission, representatives from, NOA, US Embassy, the Market Women Association led by Hadiza Ishaku; and 32 police command spokespersons across the nation.
The two-day sensitization programme was organized by the commission in Abuja in collaboration with CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organization, with support from United States Embassy in Nigeria.