CP solicits support of traditional institutions for community policing
Policing
By Christian Ogbonna
Sagbama (Bayelsa), June 13, 2018 (NAN) The Bayelsa Police Commissioner, Mr Don Awunah, has called for active support of the traditional institutions to community policing, saying that such backing was pertinent to secure lives and property.
Awunah made the called on Wednesday in Sagbama, Sagbama Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, where he kicked off his familiarisation tour of police area commands in the state.
The commissioner, who visited the palace of traditional rulers and the council chairman in the area, said the essence of the tour was to interact with the stakeholders on community policing.
He described traditional institution as “critical stakeholder” to law enforcement and called for their active support to ensure crime prevention and control processes in the state.
“ In any policing set up, traditional rulers are the critical stakeholder and if you as police think that you can work alone because you have the gun, you are making mistakes.
“We need the consent of the people and traditional rulers must be involved in the security architecture of the community.
“I, therefore direct and order the senior police officers and area commands to partner with the people for effective crime prevention across communities,” Awunah stated.
Jones Akadah, Erareba IV of Pere Kimbowei Kingdom in Sagbama, commended the police operations in Bayelsa and pledged to support the force in ensuring adequate peace and tranquility in the area.
Akadah, represented by his Secretary, High Chief Michael Amboro, said that lack of adequate housing for personnel serving in the rural areas was a serious challenge to community policing.
“There should be housing or barracks for policemen posted to the rural areas for them to be always available to fight crimes,” he said.
Mr Austin Chukwuma, Sagbama Police Area Commander, thanked the commissioner and all the traditional rulers for attending the meeting.
Chukwuma gave the assurance that the command would continue to work in cordial relationship with the people of the area. (NAN)
OOC/BOLA/EMO
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ejike Obeta