For a More Professional Police Force
Chiemelie Ezeobi writes on the effort of the Nigeria Police to rejig its operations by training its officers into becoming more professional in the discharge of their duties
In a bid of to build the capacity of the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), thereby turning them into a more professional force, a special training and capacity development seminar aimed at improving professionalism and proficiency in police service delivery was recently organised by the Zone 2 Police Command. The event, which began on Thursday, March 2 ended on Saturday, March 4, 2017 and was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, was hosted by the AIG Kayode Aderanti, of Zone 2 with its main resource person as Dr. Charles Omole of Prodel Global Services.
It was three days of intensive reorientation of officers and men from Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos and Ogun State Commands on pivotal issues germane to the duties of a police officer such as intelligence-led policing, ethics and professional conduct in the police and improving Police public relationships
During the opening ceremony, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of the special guests of honour, commended the police authorities for focusing on training and retraining, assuring them that that was the only way of staying atop their job.
According to him, all human institutions need constant appraisal, regeneration, introspection and training but by people who are up to date with what is done in other nations.
Speaking about the initiative, Obasanjo said there was no substitute for training, urging security operatives to be in tune with practices of their contemporaries in other parts of the globe.
Meanwhile, he first charged the police authorities to ensure that the facilitators are in touch with new development in terms of policing, adding that “Police must be aware and in touch with new developments in other parts of the globe.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police, IG Ibrahim Idris, appreciated AIG Kayode Aderanti, of Zone 2 for keying into his agenda of training police officers adequately and regularly.
In his speech, the IG said the police needs to be a step ahead of criminals, adding that it can only be achieved through training and re-training as the reason for every training is to improve efficiency and performance.
Other dignitaries at the opening ceremony include retired IG Musiliu Smith, retired AIG Tunji Alapini, Professor Ndi Okereke Onyiuke, amongst others.
Aderanti’s passion for training Known for his passion for all things training, it was not surprising that Aderanti decided to organise a first of its kind training for policemen under his watch from Lagos and Ogun states.
On the first day of the ceremony, as was expected given that he was the chief host, Aderanti mounted the podium to address the guests and participants on the first day of the training. He said the objective of the training was to build capacity for the police, as well as ensure professionalism among the police officers.
He said, “This is a special training and capacity development seminar. It is no longer news that the world today is fast changing. And anyone who does not adapt accordingly will fast be outdated and irrelevant. The advent of technology and globalisation and its resultant effect on crime has made it necessary for security agencies to be on top in order to succeed at mitigating the ever changing face of crime.
“Obsolete techniques will not work for contemporary issues. We as security agencies need to be at least a step ahead of criminals. This can only be achieved through requisite training and retraining.
“In line with the drive of the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, for democratic policing and international best practices, I took it upon myself to kick-start the process that has culminated in the actualisation of this training. I thank my ever hardworking management team, the facilitators who came all the way from the UK, our contributors in all forms, eminent persons here present for their moral support and the Inspector General of Police for his visionary leadership.
“At the end of this training, participants would gain a lot of skills that would be put into everyday practice such that Nigerians will truly admire and commend the positive changes they will encounter in the Nigeria Police. This is the first in the series of trainings to be conducted for officers and men of this command with a view to making them professional in line with democratic and international best practices.
Aderanti also mounted the podium on the last day of the three-day conference. During his closing remarks he expressed happiness and fulfillment that the long overdue training and capacity development seminar was successfully held. While commending the IG for his policy of regular training and retraining aimed at making officers and men of the force come up to par with principles of democratic policing and international best practices, Aderanti said he strongly believes it gave birth to the just concluded seminar.
He said, “Like I said in my opening remarks, from today, the public will begin to see a different, friendlier, more professional and more proficient police force. I urge you all to make this vision a reality. It is a collective effort that must be achieved.
“To all the participants, I urge you all to imbibe and share all you have learnt with other officers in your divisions/commands who were not privileged to be selected for this programme. Added to that, you must practice them. Let the change begin with you.
“I must thank most profoundly former President Olusegun Obasanjo for creating time from his very busy schedule to grace the opening ceremony and for his words of wisdom. I thank also Alhaji Musiliu Smith, IG retired for his presence and invaluable words of advice.
“I express my undying loyalty and appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, IG Ibrahim K. Idris, for supporting this worthy initiative and for finding time to be here in person. I profoundly thank Dr. Charles Omole of Prodel Global Services for finding time from his schedule in the UK to come and lecture officers of the Nigeria Police.
“I appreciate also Mr. Lai Omotola, the Group Managing Director of Confederated Facilitators Limited for standing by us all through this programme, and for providing all round support. My special gratitude goes to Zenith Bank Nigeria Plc for their financial support. Gentlemen of the press are not left out. We thank you for your support all the way.”
At the closing ceremony, Aderanti, presented certificates of attendance to the seminar participants and gave assurances that training would be a regular feature in the Nigeria Police.
A commendable initiative In a bid to achieve his goal for a professional police force, the AIG had shared his views with the leadership team and Dr. Charles Charles Omole’s team (The lead trainer and facilitator for the programme from the United kingdom) and their joint two pronged approach came up with the following topics.
During the course of the three-day training, the focus was on intelligence-led policing, ethics and professional conduct in policing and improving police public relationships.
Breaking it down further, the Lead Trainer,
The changing security landscape in the past decade has placed increasing and new demands on the police globally. This realisation has created a need for revised and regular training for law enforcement personnel at all levels of government