The Ogun Police command on Monday in Abeokuta warned its officers against acts of indiscipline, unethical behaviour and bad dressing.
Speaking at a one-day workshop organised for its officers, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Muyiwa Adejobi, said all officers must act fast towards rebuilding the image of the force.
The PPRO, who spoke on the topic “The Nigerian Police as Agents of Change”, warned that the force would no longer tolerate acts of indiscipline, lateness to work, unethical conducts and improper dressing.
He said that all officers must see themselves as agents of change in their respective duties and stations, adding that you are all image makers in your own capacity.
The PPRO said that the Inspector-General of Police (IG) Mohammed Abubakar, demanded that all roads blocks must cease to exist and that he expected the officers of the command to obey the instruction.
“The Nigerian Police would be judged based on your conduct in or out of your station, if you think of this, then you will want to behave well at all times.
“We have carefully selected you (heads of stations and departments) to educate and inform you about the resolve to behave well henceforth.
“It is expected that you will in turn brief your subordinates, coordinate and educate them on what you have been told here; there is no more room for bad eggs in the police.
“I implore you to adhere strictly to the instruction that bail is entirely free, no police should collect money from anyone for bail as it is criminal and illegal to do so,” he said.
Adejobi further said that the IG had ordered all PPROs to send reports on conduct of officers of their respective commands directly to the IG's office for scrutiny.??
He, therefore, admonished all officers, as well as the rank and file of the command to be cultured, civil and ethical in their dealings with members of the public.
In the same vein, a resource person, Mr Femi Dokunmu, said that all organisations must be concerned with its perceived image in the society.
He said that the responsibility of achieving an acceptable image for the Nigeria Police was the duty of all its officers and even more important, its rank and files.
He advised the participants to focus on its primary functions of effective security and protection of lives and properties, adding that such would help in rebuilding the image of the police.
Dokunmu attributed the lack of trust from members of the public to the rude manner and uncivilised attitude of some of the police officers.
While advising them (Police) to guide their image jealously, he appealed to the Federal Government to make provisions for effective policing in the country.
“Adequate provision and utilisation of equipment, men, money and materials needed to achieve the desired result must be readily available,” he advised.