Inspector General of Police
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Ikemefuna Okoye, on Wednesday warned officers and men of the command against shabby dressing, indiscipline and uncivilised conduct.
The police boss gave the warning at a workshop organised for staff of the command in Abeokuta.
According to him, the workshop is aimed at improving the public image and professional conduct of the command’s personnel.
Mr. Okoye, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mohammed Abdulkadir, said the command would leave no stone unturned in improving the image of the police.
“The Inspector General has a vision to turn things round positively, so he ordered us to train and retrain our staff on how to relate with the public. “All commands and formations must also key into the vision and mission of the I-G, and believe me, all that needed to be done shall be done.
“It is important for all of you to know that you are representing the Force when you come in contact with members of the public and as such, you must behave well.
“Our duty is to serve and protect lives and properties in the most civilised manner possible; we can effectively do this without being rude to Nigerians, ‘’ he said.
A resource person at the workshop, Femi Dokunmu, said it was important for police personnel to the imbibe culture of politeness in relating with members of the public.
Mr. Dokunmu, the immediate past chairman of the National Institute of Public Relations in Ogun, stressed the importance of good conduct and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“Recent research has shown that the image of the police is improving, but I have to ask if you all here are willing to be part of the positive change?.
“Your relationship with members of the public goes farther than what you can ever imagine.
“You must behave well and sustain the good relationship, not just a one off affair.
“In the actual sense, police are servants of the public and unless you see your selves as servants, you will continue to misbehave.
“Even when you suspect an individual to be a criminal or even if you have established that he’s a criminal, you still have to follow due process and let the law take its course.
“Don’t revile Nigerians before you listen to them.
“It is also important for you to be neat because this will say a lot about you and also determine how you would be addressed by members of the public,” he said.
In his remarks, the spokesman of the command, Muyiwa Adejobi, urged participants to put the lessons learnt at the workshop into practice.
Culled from Premium Times