Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC) and Retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Solomon Arase, has blamed poor implementation of community policing on lack of trust in police by Nigerians.
Arase spoke through the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Olumide Sodeinde, at the 39th Etim Inyang Anniversary Lecture to mark 39 years anniversary of Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) in Nigeria.
Speaking on the topic: ‘Achieving Effective and Efficient Community Policing Gains in Nigeria: Prospects and Challenges’, the ex-IGP said: “Community policing cannot be successful when there is a lack of trust or extreme fear by the members of a community.
“In Nigeria, the police have created a bad image for themselves as they are seen to violate human rights instead of protecting life and property. They use all forms of brutality on helpless citizens just for their selfish gain.
“Many Nigerians have developed unnecessary fear for the police and the concept of working with the police seems a major turn off for them.”
He added that another challenge faced by community policing is inadequate remuneration by police officers. “When police officers are not well remunerated, they tend to feel more reluctant to work,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Dingyadi, said the establishment of the PCRC, by leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in 1984 has continued to yield its desired result.
Mrs. Jaachinma Agu, an Assistant Director in the ministry, represented Dingyadi.
Also, the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, has lauded the PCRC for fostering peace in communities and support for Nigeria Police.
At the event, wife of the Inspector General of Police, Hajia Hajara Alkali Usman Baba, Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Maigari Dingyadi, AIG Hamed lliyasu (Rtd), DIG Abdulmajid Ali (Rtd) and many others were honoured by the leadership of PCRC.
