Private security practitioners seek better partnership with police

THE Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) has appealed for better partnership and collaboration between the private security players and the Nigeria Police with a view to putting an end to insecurity situation in the country.

The body specifically urged the Nigeria Police high command and the Police Service Commission to involve the organized private security sector in the recruitment of constables and Cadet officers to ensure that people of questionable character were no longer admitted into the Force.

The National Executive council of the Association made the request during a courtesy calls on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase in Abuja.

The National President of ALPSPN, Mr. Davidson Akhimien who led the delegation commended the IGP for his vision on Community Policing and urged the police boss to recruit new officers from the pool of trained guards working with private security companies.

Addressing newsmen after the visit, Akhimiien noted that the visit afforded the body opportunity to enhance synergy between police and private security companies.

According to him, “We went to identify with the vision of the IGP. We were particularly concerned about his initiative for community policing. We saw the visit as an opportunity for the need for more synergy between the public and private security in the interest of national security.

“We notified the IGP that the private guard sector is one of the largest employer of labour after the Federal government. Being found in every nook and crannies, we are better poised as stakeholders in information gathering and dissemination to relevant security agencies.

“We also brought to the knowledge of the IGP that the private guard sector could serve as a pool by which the police can carry out recruitment with the basic training they have. We also urged him to implore policemen to see us as partners in progress and not as competitors in the discharge of our duties.”

The IGP however appreciated their points and pledged to direct all Commissioners of police in 36 states of the Federation to work in harmony with private guards across the country.