German govt trains 135 FSARS operatives
Officials from the German Foreign Office have concluded a two-week training programme organized for 135 police officers that would head a reformed Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the 36 states of the federation.
The training was a collaboration between the Nigeria Police and the German Foreign Office.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Police College Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said the intensive training was a holistic approach to enhance the performance of the participants comprising commanders, team leaders and foot soldiers of the FSARS.
Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police incharge of Training and Development, Emmanuel Inyang, noted that the during the course, the officers were exposed to issues bordering on human rights; gender, use of force and fire arms; including the procedures of use of force; patrols and anti-crime patrols; stop and search and management of critical incidence.
The IGP said the officers were also trained on building contacts and communications with members of the public; police arrest; humane detentions; investigations as well as torture and prosecutions.
He said: “In the Department of Training and Development, we believe that training and re-training is second to none; as it helps to learning and relearning on the tactical, operational and strategic demands of our job including operational principles and tenets of Human Rights.
“We would strive to ensure that this exercise is sustained by entrenching the training materials into our training institutions. That way, new trainees and others on development or refresher course would also have the opportunity of learning and re-learning what you have been taught here over these days.
“I charge you also to ensure that the learning and demonstration continues when you return to your respective states and posts, teach your subordinates as commanders and team leaders. Lead by examples and contribute in the IGPs instructions to help reposition the FSARSs; particularly as we head into election and electioneering period.”
The German General Consular to Nigeria, Dr. Stefan Traumann, noted that the learning and re-learning on the principles and tenets of human rights is key for policing.
According to him, learning is necessary for the police to remain innovative and at par with delivering excellent service as officers of the Nigerian Police Force to both their employers and members of the public.
He said: “The Foreign Office through the Police Programme Africa believes that safety and security are necessary precondition for development and social inclusion.
“Thus, as you would have been told; this capacity building training was tailored to achieve the following: mainstreaming of human rights training, adaptation of best practices into the NPF Human Rights training resource materials and their operational decision making process.”