Community policing to check criminality, arms proliferation, says IGP Idris

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has harped on the importance of community policing in the fight against criminal elements and mopping up of unlicensed firearms in possession of civilians. He noted that the concept also dismisses suspicion, thus fostering a cordial relationship between the force and the public.

The IGP held that the story of law enforcement in Nigeria would be incomplete without reference to community policing which creates platform for the force to interface with host communities and relevant stakeholders for collective solutions to security challenges.

Speaking during the graduation of the participants of the Tactical Leadership and Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State at the weekend, Idris noted that community policing gives ownership to the citizens and solves a host of other problems, including reconciliation of communities and groups as well as identification of criminal elements within them.

According to him, the initiative builds trust and guarantees free flow of information for police’s seamless operations and education of the public on prompt report of suspicious movements, strange persons in and around their communities as well as respect for existing laws.

He pledged that the force would sustain its pro-active crime-fighting strategies to check collateral damage and avoidable bloodletting in parts of the country.

Idris said: “Specialised units and new police formations are being created to handle and check serious crimes in areas where they are prevalent.”

The institution’s commandant, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Dorothy Gimba, lauded the IGP for supporting the college all times to thrive.

“Interestingly, the Police Staff College, with the support of the Force Management Team, under the leadership of IGP Ibrahim Idris, has witnessed significant transformation in the areas of academics and infrastructure,” she said.