Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday deployed 1,250 Special police Constabulary officers to different communities in Lagos.
The deployment is expected to boost community policing efforts in the state to effectively combat crime and criminal activities.
The passing-out parade of the Community Policing Special Constabulary Officers was held at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos State, Tuesday.
At the ceremony, Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged Lagosians including community leaders and associations to support community policing by cooperating with the officers.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, assured the Special Police Constabularies that his administration will provide everything they will require to carry out their assignment most efficiently and effectively.
He said: “The issue of security and safety of lives and property have been a major source of concern, which requires deliberate and urgent attention by the government, and the cooperation of all citizens. In an attempt to address this challenge, there was a national consensus on the need to embrace community policing which has been identified as a potent strategy that will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police to effectively combat crime and criminal activities.
“I want to appeal to all Lagosians especially community leaders and associations to support this initiative by cooperating with these officers. They are no strangers but people that are known to you within your community. Let us therefore embrace this initiative to improve security and safety of lives and property within our various communities.”
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu who was represented at by Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Olasupo Ajani, warned the Special Constabulary officers not to see themselves as conventional police officers.
He said: “You are expected to be a link and to build a good relationship between police and the general public. As you might have known, you as Community Policing officers are very strong stakeholders in maintaining law and order and the protection of lives and property.
“You should always remember the local knowledge you were taught and make use of it wherever you may find yourselves.
“Lastly, you are warned not to wear any other police uniform except the black uniform issued to you. Do not wear blue or the camouflage uniform of the conventional police officers”
