Lagos CP seeks support for community policing

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu, has sought the cooperation of citizens and other security personnel in the state in achieving a crime-free society through community policing. He made the call yesterday during a stakeholders’ security meeting with the theme: ‘Policing the community by the community,’ which was hosted by the Area Commander, Area F, ACP Olasoji Akinbayo.

According to Muazu, “community policing will require the police involving the community in deciding policing priorities and also promote transparency and honesty,” adding that part of the values of community policing is that the police must respect and protect the rights of citizens through demonstrable commitment in delivering best quality at all time.

Also, speaking, human rights activist, Dr. Joe Odumakin, said the police have not gained enough support from the community to effectively hold the grassroots, instead they have been victims of hostile reactions. She noted that community policing would improve police support, while admonishing citizens on the need to support the police to achieve great feat.

“Cooperating with the police will help them solve crimes and protect the community with less use of arms. The police need our support for security to prevail,” she noted.

Earlier, the Area F Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Akinbayo Olasoji, in his welcome address said the gathering is to find a lasting solution to curbing the rising crime in the state in the area of cultism, kidnapping, and youthful exuberance.

“The police cannot do it alone, we seek the support and cooperation of the community to fight crime in our society,” he said.