By Adewole Kehinde
‘Professionalism is about consistently demonstrating respect, integrity, and competence in every interaction’.
Professionalism is the skill, good judgement, and polite behaviour that are expected from a person who is trained to do a job well.
Professionalism is an important characteristic to demonstrate in everyday work. Showing professionalism can make way for new opportunities, while a lack of professionalism can create barriers to your growth.
Having looked at what professionalism is all about, its characteristics include competence, knowledge, conscientiousness, integrity, respect, emotional intelligence, appropriateness, and confidence.
Since he assumed office as the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, he has not rested on his oars to ensure that all police spokespersons at the zonal and state levels are professional.
To increase professionalism and expand capabilities, 31 police public relations officers and public relations specialists from the Force Public Relations Department, Force Headquarters Abuja, were inducted into the esteemed National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Thursday, December 14, 2023.
At this point, I must commend ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi for introducing professionalism into the Force Public Relations Department.
Maintaining professionalism in the police public relations offices is crucial for building trust and credibility with the community.
I will suggest some tips to help the Zonal and Command PPROs maintain professionalism:
Active listening: The spokespersons must listen attentively to the concerns of the public, and it should be their priority. They must practice active listening skills, which involve giving their full attention, maintaining eye contact, and responding thoughtfully to questions or comments.
Remain calm and composed: Politeness and composure are essential, even in potentially tense situations. They must maintain emotional control and stay focused on addressing people’s concerns and needs.
Maintain integrity: The police spokespersons must uphold high ethical standards in all aspects of their work. Be honest, transparent, and fair. They must avoid engaging in gossip or spreading rumours.
Professional development: Also, police spokespersons must seek opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through training and professional development programs. This will help them stay up to date with police best practices and improve their overall professionalism.
Dress appropriately: They must always adhere to the department’s guidelines on dress code. Dress neatly and wear the appropriate uniform when required.
Communication skills: They should develop excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. The use of clear and concise language to deliver information effectively must be a priority. They must be respectful, courteous, and professional in all interactions.
Stay informed: The spokesperson must stay updated with the latest department policies, procedures, and local news. Being well-informed will enable them to provide accurate and up-to-date information to the public.
Respect confidentiality: They should learn to exercise discretion and respect the sensitivity of confidential information. They must not disclose any sensitive details to unauthorised individuals.
Be patient and empathetic: Demonstration of patience and empathy when dealing with the public is paramount. They should understand that people may be frustrated or upset and provide them with the necessary support and reassurance.
Foster positive relationships: On a final note, they must cultivate positive relationships with the community, media outlets, and other stakeholders. They must build trust and bridge any gaps between the police and the public.
I join the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, by charging the newly inducted officers to effectively apply their acquired knowledge in their official capacities as spokespersons. They must enhance communication and foster positive relations between the police and the public.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. Email: kennyadewole@gmail.com
