By Adewole Kehinde
The active participation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, at the ongoing International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver, Colorado, USA, underscores Nigeria’s growing commitment to international law enforcement collaboration, professional development, and organisational excellence.
IGP Egbetokun, accompanied by senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, joined thousands of police chiefs, law enforcement executives, and security professionals from across the globe at the prestigious #IACP2025 event, which opened on October 18, 2025.
The gathering represents the world’s largest and most influential assembly of policing leaders, dedicated to advancing global safety and professional policing standards.
The opening General Assembly, which featured IACP President Ken Walker, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas, and other distinguished state and city leaders, set the tone for a transformative conference.
Their remarks welcoming delegates to Denver highlighted the significance of leadership collaboration and community trust. They shared global security goals, principles that strongly align with IGP Egbetokun’s reform-driven vision for the Nigeria Police Force.
Of particular note was the insightful exploration of the importance of building a strong organisational culture, a session that examined how internal and external factors shape police institutions.
The presenters were commended for articulating strategies that promote ethical leadership, morale building, and accountability, values that the Nigeria Police Force continues to integrate under Egbetokun’s leadership.
Another noteworthy highlight was the Community Awareness Program 2.0, an innovative initiative designed to equip community members to identify and address emerging threats collaboratively.
The approach fosters proactive engagement between law enforcement and communities, a philosophy consistent with IGP Egbetokun’s emphasis on community policing and citizen partnership in maintaining security across Nigeria.
Equally commendable was the discussion on effective communication in emergency response operations, which delved into the challenges posed by limited and interrupted communications—particularly cellular and Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems—during crises such as the 2025 Palisades Fire.
The session’s exploration of emerging technologies and potential solutions for communication resilience is a timely reminder of the importance of technological investment in policing, especially for nations like Nigeria that continue to modernise their public safety infrastructure.
Speakers at the recruitment strategy sessions also deserve commendation for sharing tested and impactful methods such as streamlined hiring processes and strategic use of social media campaigns that have significantly improved recruitment outcomes. Their insights are invaluable as the Nigeria Police Force continues to attract young, competent, and technology-driven officers to strengthen its workforce.
The #IACP2025 discussions further underscored the delicate balance between innovation and integrity in modern policing, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes public safety recruitment. While AI tools can enhance efficiency and objectivity, presenters wisely cautioned against risks such as candidates manipulating AI-assisted assessments, an issue that calls for thoughtful policy design and ethical oversight.
Another highlight of this year’s conference was the session by the IACP Community Safety Policy Council, which emphasised that trust building is foundational to effective policing. The Council’s remarks on the success of the IACP Trust Building Campaign in enhancing transparency and strengthening community relationships are particularly relevant to Nigeria’s ongoing police reform agenda, where trust, empathy, and accountability remain central pillars.
In conclusion, the IACP 2025 Quick Hit session on the IACP Connector offered a practical demonstration of technology’s role in improving agency operations. This online resource helps police departments make informed procurement decisions by connecting them with peers who have faced similar challenges and offering access to vendor profiles and IACP-curated resources.
Such a tool can significantly benefit Nigerian law enforcement agencies in making evidence-based, cost-effective, and transparent procurement decisions.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun’s participation at the IACP 2025 Annual Conference is, therefore, not just a representation of Nigeria on the global stage but a reaffirmation of his administration’s vision for a smarter, more accountable, and globally connected police force.
The insights and partnerships emerging from Denver will undoubtedly enrich ongoing reforms and strengthen the professional foundation of policing in Nigeria.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166249846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
