By Benjamin Omoike…………………..Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday deployed 1,250 Special Constabulary Officers for community policing to boost security in different parts of the state.

Speaking at the passing-out parade of the Community Policing Special Constabulary Officers, held at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, appealed to Lagosians, especially community leaders and associations, to support the initiative, by cooperating with the officers.

The governor assured the special constabulary officers that his administration will provide everything that they will require to carry out their assignments efficiently and effectively.

He added that the passing out parade of 1,250 special constabulary officers, who have undergone a series of training specially designed to equip them with the skills required for the job, is an indication of the commitment of Lagos State Government to community policing.

In his address to the officers, Governor Sanwo-Olu advised: ‘Your major responsibility is to support the operations of the State Police Command through the provision of credible and timely intelligence on activities within the community which might result in perpetration of crime and threat to safety of lives and property.

‘In carrying out your responsibility, it is very important that you operate within the operational guidelines that have been given to you.’

In his welcome address, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, who was represented at the occasion by Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Olasupo Ajani, warned the officers not to see theirselves as conventional police officers.

‘The bedrock of police duty is discipline and the best discipline is self-discipline,’ he said. ‘You should avoid any form of illegal duty in its entirety.

‘You are expected to be a link and to build a good relationship between police and the general public. As you might have known, you as Community Policing officers are very strong stakeholders in maintaining law and order and the protection of lives and property.

‘You should always remember the local knowledge you were taught and make use of it wherever you may find yourselves.

‘Lastly, you are warned not to wear any other police uniform except The black uniform issued to you.

‘For emphasis sake, do not wear blue or the camouflage uniform of the conventional police officers,’ he warned.