New Lagos CP, Alabi, Unveils Seven Point Template To Police State

By Akinwale Kasali

Abiodun Alabi, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, has unveiled his seven-point template and policing vision.

He highlighted these to include:“ Visibility policing and dominance of security space by ensuring the presence of policemen at all times to deter criminals, as a preventive measure and ensure that Rapid Response Squad is encouraged and strengthened to respond promptly and effectively to citizens’ concerns.

“Respect for fundamental Human Rights by ensuring that no breach of Human Rights will be tolerated under my command and watch.

“Our men’s conduct while discharging their duties must be in conformity with our professional ethics especially with issues of corruption and extra Judicial killing and act of incivility to members of the public.

“We will strive to build confidence and trust in members of the public particularly with state actors and non-state actors through intelligence-led community policing. Area commanders and Divisional Police Officers will be encouraged to meet regularly with non-state actors to ensure common problems confronting their various areas of responsibilities are collectively addressed.

“  will not be allergic to constructive criticism but will see it as information to rejig our security architecture for our policing strategy. Therefore, I will encourage collaboration with the 4th  Estate of the realm and appeal that issues concerning our policing policies in the State are brought to my knowledge promptly. I will also endeavour to hold parleys with journalists where solutions will be tabled and addressed in an amicable manner.

“ Some dedicated lines will be rolled out to members of the public for accessibility and feedback to members of the public on issues of our common safety and security.

“The trends and patterns of crime will continually be monitored to ensure crime mapping of the state to enable us to devise appropriate crime preventing strategies”.

Alabi said it was important for protection of lives and properties which is the main aim of the Police in all its dealings, stressing the importance of holding regular parleys with journalists where perception and other misconceptions will be tabled and addressed in an amicable manner.

The Commissioner made this statement at a media parley the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, the State Capital.

Alabi stressed the necessity of a Police-Journalists cordial relationship for information sharing and management saying he will be available to respond to issues at all times.

Describing Lagos State as a familiar terrain, having served in different capacities in the State for many years, he said for effective Policing, everyone has a part to play in having a safer Lagos for all.

Speaking further, the Lagos State Police boss promised to restore officers zeal to improve sanity and peace to the cosmopolitan city, adding that crime rate can continue to reduce tremendously with the help of credible media supports in the state.

Alabi came into the saddle as the Commissioner of Police in the State following the end of the tenure in service of Hakeem Odumosu, who retired on the rank of an Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG.