Participants Speak

Omole, who also doubles as the CEO of Prodel Global Services Group, said Intelligence Led Policing (ILP) is not a new development in the police or indeed in any other force anywhere else. He also said ILP is a business process for systematically collecting, analysing, and utilising intelligence to guide law enforcement operational and tactical decisions.

He said, “ILP aids law enforcement in identifying, examining, and formulating preventative, protective, and responsive operations to specific targets, threats, and problems. It is important to note that ILP is not a new policing model; rather, it is an integrated enhancement (and deliberate joined up of isolated existing tools) that can contribute to public safety. It is ultimately meant to assist us in the gathering of data, intelligence and facts that aid us in a new joined up way of digital thinking for public policing.”

On ethics and professional conduct in policing he said, “This covers the issues of ethics, equity, the law, discretion, professional conduct and policing duties within the wider community in one go.

“For this programme it is an introductory topic primarily because it is very wide but more importantly because we want our delegates comprise junior officers, Asp’s, DPO’s and the like to have an understanding of why we must self-reflect and change our approach to modern policing from a Nigerian centric perspective. This training emphasises that ethical behaviour should be at the fore front of every officer’s mind in the conduct of their duties, while explaining how this can be achieved.”

Also on improving police public relationships Omale noted that “This is one of the most strategic topics in this training programme. It is one that we as a force must begin to tackle and improve upon so that we can build a bridge between the NPF and the wider public, communicating clearly and openly with the Nigerian people. This training will also strengthen the police in the use of social media and modern technology to better engage with the public.”

Speaking generally on the initiative he said, “It is the first of its kind to be held and did not come into play by accident as it obtains its inspiration from the inaugural agenda set by our esteemed Inspector General of Police, IG Ibrahim Idris on assumption of office and in his inaugural speech delivered on June 22, 2016, IG Ibrahim Idris, identified capacity building within the force as one of his top priorities. This is a visionary agenda and training programme such as this supports the fulfillment of that noble agenda set by our IG.

“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. Due to the high visibility of police officers and interaction with the public on a constant basis, police officers must practice situational awareness consistently throughout the day.

“This mindset underscores the need for routine updated training to ensure adequate investigative techniques, officer safety and efficiency. Law enforcement personnel have a responsibility to ensure they are up-to-date on modern day training, formal education, and become knowledgeable in tactics used by the criminal elements and how best to thwart it. Training and education is more than just sitting in a classroom and earning a certificate. It is also about applying new found knowledge and maintaining proficiency.

“It took a great deal of thought and consideration as to what would be the most effective topics given the fact that it was the first of its kind in the zone and the AIG’s belief that the need for current effective training of the force is all pervasive. There was also the added fact that this programme and indeed any other programmes have to be inspired from a Nigeria centric focused view so that we achieve meaningful milestones in a manageable and sustainable way based on our existing needs and difficulties.

“This mindset therefore removes any chance of illusions from us as a viable force. We have a lot to do, a lot to achieve and a real desire to see this impact within Zone 2 of the NPF and the wider community at large. In as much as this is a radical step, it is very much needed and the AIG is determined to deliver on the agenda set by the IG to develop and increase the capacity of the officers of the Nigerian Police to deliver services that are in consonance with democratic policing.

“There is always a fundamental need for ongoing training for police officers. Officers need to keep their skills current in all areas. It is easy for a police officer to become cynical and lose motivation when they are dealing with the same problems day after day. One of the antidotes for this is regular training to expose them to new ideas and concepts that challenge their thinking. We need officers who understand what is required to police in the 21st Century with all the rapid changes taking place in the socio-economic and cultural landscape of Nigeria.”

On the issue of funding, Aderanti also said although the Nigerian Police in general and Zone 2 in particular are not immune from the financial pressure facing all public sector organisations, this training programme was meant to assist them deliver best value for the budget available in terms of productivity of officers and reduction in crime and criminality.

He said, “This training programme will be sustained in this zone to reinforce best practice and include as many officers as possible. Our desire is for the wider public and all patriotic Nigerians to see our efforts, the changes, the needs and the results and join hands with us in partnership to assist in improving our performance as a viable Police Force.”

Some of the participants out of the total number of 120 policemen that attended, which includes senior police officers from the ranks of chief superintendent of police to assistant superintendent of police (51 officers) and 25 inspectors, as well as 44 rank and file, all expressed their gratitude to the IG and AIG for the wealth of experience they garnered during the training.

CSP Segun Ajamoloya, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Victoria Island, who was also a participant, said the idea of ILP should be encouraged as a lot of the perception the public have of the police is due to ineptitude in handling cases.

He said, “This is because of the way we handle cases and treat suspects. So this global standards that we are being exposed to include how to respond to distress calls, how to investigate first before prosecuting and not forcing evidence out of suspects but leave it for the court to decide.”

The Officer-in-Charge of Marine, Chinedu Iwuozo, a superintendent of police, in an interview on the second day of the three-day seminar, also lauded the initiative by the police hierarchy, adding that it will boost their capacity whilst carrying out their various responsibilities.

He said, “It was a period of stock taking to appreciate our values and help us to perform better. Already, the police has a process of constant training and re-training, usually we have weekly lectures, then the monthly lectures and even the Commissioner’s of Police and the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s lecture.”

Also, SP Patricia Amadin of the Economic Crimes Unit at Zonal CID, Zone 2, was of the opinion that the total sum of what they learnt was that reality is relevant and perception is everything. According to her, she was personally challenged to do better at her job and stand out.

She said, “I am personally challenged. World over, ethical standards have been raised, so I will work with the personnel in my unit so that we can raise the standards in our own corner. I also learnt on how to harmonise intelligence as regards investigation. “

Another participant from the legal department of Zone 2, Ezeribe Steve, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the training, which is one of the visions of the IG and the AIG, was held to empower officers and men especially in bringing people that are experts to assist in the training.

He said, “It was an expose with regards to intelligence led policing and professional ethics. In ILP, you don’t go all out without bringing in the aspects of the media and the social media to enable you apprehend your suspect. Also, we were taught to remember that every suspect is a gold mine of information because whatever information they give you, might result in the arrest of another.”

For Sergeant Obi Joy, of the Zone 2 Human Rights Section, the training was germane as it has taught her how to be self disciplined and know how to deal with members of the public who come to the police for one thing or the other. She promised to impact her colleagues with what she has learnt and ensure they also respect human rights.

According to Inspector Lookman Ojikutu from the Ogun State Police Command (Obantoko Police Division, Abeokuta), ILP is a dynamic new concept. He said although it was started by the last IG, it was renewed with fervor by the current IG. For him, one of the most important lessons he learnt was how to wriggle out of unlawful orders from senior police officers without being rude or look disobedient.

To whom much is given, much is expected and for the participants of this training, it is expected that the change will indeed begin with them as they begin to influence their colleagues first with their attitudinal change and then members of the public in a bid to change the terrible perception of the police by the society.