Police No Longer Bossy, Now Civil To Nigerians – AIG
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 17, Ondo and Ekiti States, Ajani Omolabi, says the police have adopted a more civil approach in their relationship with Nigerians to ensure effective modern policing.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday, Omolabi explained that the new policy had endeared the police to the people, making it easier to get information needed to fight crime.
“The police have become civil rather than being bossy. We are now civil to the people we are working with. We come to their level, engage them and we understand one another. It also helps us to get information easily from them. And also, the robust way of bringing ourselves to the community level, the open door policy, it has also helped us,” he said.
The AIG noted that several seminars and lectures had been held with officers in the two commands to promote openness, transparency, and professionalism.
“I have held seminars, lectures with them. And this is always what I advocate, that we should be closer to the community in our work place and on the issue of giving information to the police.
“I have also had meetings with many communities, telling them that they should go directly to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) or even come to the Commissioner of Police or AIG, go and give your information.
“We are not far away from the people we are working with and whosoever that is giving us information, we make sure we protect such person,” he said.
Omolabi reiterated that the police must be seen as friends and partners in fighting crime, adding that his office remains accessible to the public.
“I operate an open door policy. Since I came, the civilians have access to me. My number has been circulated and we work on information, complaints and their grievances,” he said.
He also revealed that officers are being encouraged to acquire knowledge that would make policing and prosecution more effective.
“Police are very proactive now. We want to also appreciate the effort of our institution of police, especially creating opportunity for the personnel of Nigeria Police by encouraging them to go to school, especially to go and read law.
“What we are practicing now is professionalism. So when we are talking of prosecution, we have experts that know the law. Those are the people that are helping us, so we are not losing cases because we know that evidences are crucial in prosecution.
“So those people who understand what evidences are, what facts to be obtained, in the course of investigation, they are now available in Nigeria police,” he said.
On discipline, the AIG stressed that the force does not tolerate misconduct.
“We don’t spare our men. We have a lot of them that have been disciplined. You know, to discipline a police officer, that of a senior officer is different from that of a junior officer.
“Police are the only organisation, as far as civil service is concerned, that don’t hide anyone among them.
“When you mistakenly do anything and it’s costly, we ensure we apply the rules and regulations that guide our job.
“We also reward those that perform their duty without being fearful. Some are promoted, some are given cash rewards, just to encourage others and all of us, to ensure that we do what we’re supposed to do,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
