ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba says the Special Constabulary Police as designed by law is not meant to be a job where you receive salary, but a voluntary service.
IGP Baba stated this at the opening of a two day capacity building workshop for stakeholders on community policing in Enugu, on Wednesday.
He noted that the community policing became necessary because the people don’t have trust on the police, they are far from us, so we want to bring them closer so they can begin to have confidence in police
This is coming against the backdrop of several protests by police constables in some parts of the country, that they have not been paid.
Alkali Baba who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge, Department of Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, Abuja, and DIG representing South-East Geo-Political Zone, DIG John Ogbonnaya Amadi, noted that officers who are not recruited under the Police Service Act are expected to partner with the police in safeguarding their respective communities.
While welcoming the participants to the workshop, the IGP expressed hope that the full actualization of the programme will help strengthen understanding and renew confidence between the police and the community.
He said: “The Special policy constables as designed by law is not meant to be a job where you come and receive salary, it is for a voluntary service. That is what the law says and those who want to be recruited must either have their own business or they are self employed.
“They are expected to work just for 16 hours in a week. You volunteered to come and do the job and that is part of this training. That is why we brought them here so we will remind them it is not for salary basis.
“It is voluntary and that is why when you are trained and recruited, you are sent back to your locality where you have advantage, you know the people, you know the type of crime that happen that you can assist police with information. Community policing is a voluntary work, help police identify criminals in you localities.
“They should know that hence forth, the police Constable need to partner with the police because it has become a law to partner with them to solve their local problem and find solutions together. That is the essence of this integration of this training.”
On his part, HRH Eze Peter Ezechikere Njemanze, of Amawom Autonomous Community Owerri, Imo State, said the involvement of traditional rulers in the initiative will go a long way in ensuring its prospects.
He urged the federal government of Nigeria to consider adequate remuneration of the special police constabulary to boost their efficiency.
Meanwhile, the workshop which was held simultaneously in the six geopolitical zones, and attracted participants from the five states of the South-East.