Police chief urges officers to be professional in their conduct

Policemen in Nigeria, have been advised to always weigh their actions on the scale of professionalism, to avoid being on the wrong side of the law.

The advice was given on Thursday at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Special Anti – Robbery Squad (FSARS), CP Fiminhan Adeoye at a workshop on “PLAN: Principle and De- escalation of Crisis”.

CP Adeoye, stated that the repercussions of some actions of policemen may be visited on the entire police population citing the example of on – going global condemnation of Minneapolis officer on the death of George Floyd.

The police boss reminded policemen that their primary responsibilities was the protection of lives and property as well as prevention of crime, adding that they must always protect the rights of the people.

He warned that inappropriate use of force could greatly violate the right of citizens, who they are meant and paid to protect.

He cautioned the police officers against using armed and unarmed forces without considering the proportionality, legality accountability and necessity of such actions as enshrined in police Revised Force Order 237.

“ Policemen must always consider the procedures guiding the use of fire arms during any operation.

“You must have exhausted all the non – violence means like dialogue before resorting to the use force and arms. You must also know when to cease the use force and arms, ” he said.

Also speaking at the workshop was Dr. Jide Johnson, from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), who was the Chief-Lecturer.

Johnson advised officers on use of Community engagement and personal responsibilities.

He also emphasised on the perception of the public about Police operations and how it affects their cooperation in creating a safe society.

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“ Officers, who are always eager to use force, always find themselves in trouble and they also violate the right of other people in the process”, he added.

In his remark, Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), DCP Olatunji Disu stressed that the workshop is one in the series of training the agency had lined for the officers of the squad to deepen their professionalism and forestall inappropriate use of force by the officers.

He maintained that the squad had made a major duty to continually remind the officers of their responsibilities and keep them abreast of the global best practice in policing.

He urged the officers to continue to be guided by police regulations in their actions and always assist those needing their assistance.

Also In attendant at the event is the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Abdul– Razaq Balogun.