By Adewole Kehinde
With enough funding and the right tools, the Nigeria Police might still remain ineffective without a reorientation campaign towards attitudinal change by its workforce.
Many police officers and men, especially those on roadblock duty, often display a nauseating, beggarly attitude towards motorists, conduct that undermines their authority and ability to detect suspected criminals.
In most cases, when they stop a motorist at a checkpoint, it is more for the monetary gifts they could extract from him than for crime prevention.
As law enforcement agents, they need reorientation on how to conduct themselves in a way that lends dignity and honour to their office.
Concerned with the pervasive unfriendly relationship between the Nigerian police and the public and the need to improve upon this relationship, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has expressed his commitment to enhancing the professionalism, effectiveness, and public trust in our law enforcement personnel.
I am happy Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has taken an attitudinal change as a priority because you cannot reform an institution if you do not reform the people.
Attitude change is achieved when individuals experience feelings of uneasiness or guilt due to cognitive dissonance and actively reduce the dissonance by changing their attitude, beliefs, or behavior relating in order to achieve consistency with inconsistent cognitions.
The Ag. IGP has set in motion machinery for the development of a comprehensive training program and curriculum for colleges and training schools that will place increased emphasis on attitudinal and behavioral changes, alongside physical and technical fitness.
Retraining is required to be provided on a regular basis to avoid personnel obsolescence due to technological changes and the individuals’ memory capacity.
Policing has changed. Policing is no longer about arresting, investigating, and prosecuting only. The responsibility of the police transcends these traditional roles to meet expectations in ensuring stable democracy for good governance and providing basic service delivery for the people of our country.
With the steps taken by the Ag. IGP so far, it will ensure that officers conform to the values and standards of the Nigerian police. The training and retraining will ensure the formation of an ethical code of conduct that will guide officers and help police personnel achieve their objectives.
Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has shown a genuine and holistic determination to overhaul the entire system, from tackling corruption to funding, welfare, training, equipment, manpower, and building public trust again, and Nigerians must join hands with him.
To ensure the success and implementation of the training development, the Ag. Inspector-General of Police has expressed his commitment to work closely with experienced trainers, subject matter experts, and community stakeholders to develop this comprehensive training program. He firmly believes that this training initiative will foster a stronger bond between law enforcement and communities while empowering police officers to build trust, understand diverse perspectives, and proactively address issues that affect public safety and well-being.
Nigeria Police personnel must join hands with the Ag. IGP to uphold people’s rights, be impartial, civil, and respectful, and enforce laws appropriately.
I strongly believe that Ag. IGP Olukayode Egbetokun’s priorities for the police personnel, which include better conditions of service, qualitative training and retraining, and good remunerations, which are essential to achieving effective policing, are achievable.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
