Nigeria’s IGP addresses officers, as Loui’s Edet House holds professionalism enhancement workshop for unit heads {FULL TEXT}

By KEMI KASUMU

In furtherance to his continued efforts at repositioning officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for standards that are of international practices, the nation’s Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Monday, gathered heads of police investigating and intelligence units across the country to a workshop on enhancing professionalism and standardisation in criminal investigation in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Egbetokun, who welcomed the officers to the conference, touched on vital areas of note that matter for an effective investigating and intelligence policing system, saying the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force is a vital component in the machinery of national development.

The workshop was coming at a time Nigerians were demanding an effective policing system that they could rely upon, not only as their friends but also, as a truly reliable security, protective and safe place against all manner of crimes and criminalities that man commits to fellow man in the present day Nigeria.

Egbetokun took over a Nigerian Police Force that commenced internal cleansing and self-purging against indiscipline among ranks and files while also seeking reciprocating understanding and cooperation from members of the public, but the people – for whom the laws that police is meant to enforce are enacted – say agents of the foremost security agency need to do more to earn their trust and confidence.

Monday’s event, The DEFENDER reports, projects Loui’s Edet House, that is the Force Headquarters under the sitting police chief, Egbetokun, as one with listening ears and readiness to respond to the yearnings of the people towards effective policing system for a crime-free nation.

Citing the gathering as a “significant conference” in a way that provides answer to the yearning of the country’s people, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, a doctor of philosophy, said, “We are here to recommit ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism in criminal investigations. This conference is a platform to unite our efforts to uphold and enhance the integrity of the criminal justice system.

“By refining our investigative practices, we commit to safeguarding the foundations of justice, ensuring that our procedures are thorough, unbiased, and adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards. This commitment is crucial for maintaining public trust and enhancing the image of our police force within the community and the nation at large.”

Speaking further, he said, “In essence, the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force is a vital component in the machinery of national development. It not only defines the quality of service delivered to the public but also shapes the perception and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in fostering a just, secure, and progressive society.”

The mathematician found a place in the 28-paragraph address to address the issue of Child Rights and International Standards, saying, “The Nigeria Police Force’s adherence to global standards, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children.

“This alignment underscores our dedication to implementing child-friendly policing practices that are supportive, non-traumatic, and rights-respecting. Our approach is designed to ensure that our interactions with children and young people uphold their dignity and rights while fostering a nurturing and protective environment.

“By embracing international standards, we aim to enhance the trust and confidence between the community and law enforcement. This is crucial in situations involving young individuals, where the manner in which law enforcement officers engage can have lasting impacts on their perceptions of safety and justice. Child-friendly policing not only protects children but also educates and empowers them, emphasizing their rights and the responsibilities of society to uphold them,” he said.

See Full Text of the IGP’s address below:

ADDRESS BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE, IGP. KAYODE ADEOLU EGBETOKUN, PH.D, NPM, AT A WORKSHOP ON ENHANCING PROFESSIONALISM AND STANDARDIZATION IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION HELD FOR ALL HEADS OF POLICE INVESTIGATING/INTELLIGENCE UNITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT THE NIGERIA POLICE RESOURSE AND CONFERENCE CENTER, JABI, ON MONDAY 11TH NOVEMBER, 2024.

Protocols

I welcome you to today’s significant conference. We are here to recommit ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism in criminal investigations. This conference is a platform to unite our efforts to uphold and enhance the integrity of the criminal justice system. By refining our investigative practices, we commit to safeguarding the foundations of justice, ensuring that our procedures are thorough, unbiased, and adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards. This commitment is crucial for maintaining public trust and enhancing the image of our police force within the community and the nation at large.

2. The Importance of Professionalism: Professionalism within our ranks is not merely an expectation but a cornerstone of our operational effectiveness and public trust. It underpins the credibility of the criminal justice system, ensuring that investigations are carried out with utmost integrity, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law. This commitment to professional conduct is essential in safeguarding human rights and ensuring that justice is administered without prejudice.

3. A high standard of professionalism enhances the image of the Police Force, fostering trust and cooperation from the community we serve. This trust is critical, especially in sensitive cases, as it ensures public confidence in the outcomes of our investigations and the methods by which they are conducted. By consistently applying professional standards, we also protect the rights of the accused and the victims, thereby upholding the principles of justice and fairness foundational to our legal system.

4. Moreover, professionalism within the Police Force contributes to broader societal impacts, including social harmony and political stability. It creates an environment where citizens feel secure and are therefore more likely to engage positively with each other and with governance structures. This engagement is crucial for the socio-political development of our country, as it encourages a more informed and active citizenry.

5. In essence, the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force is a vital component in the machinery of national development. It not only defines the quality of service delivered to the public but also shapes the perception and effectiveness of the criminal justice system in fostering a just, secure, and progressive society.

6. Child Rights and International Standards: The Nigeria Police Force’s adherence to global standards, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children. This alignment underscores our dedication to implementing child-friendly policing practices that are supportive, non-traumatic, and rights-respecting. Our approach is designed to ensure that our interactions with children and young people uphold their dignity and rights while fostering a nurturing and protective environment.

7. By embracing international standards, we aim to enhance the trust and confidence between the community and law enforcement. This is crucial in situations involving young individuals, where the manner in which law enforcement officers engage can have lasting impacts on their perceptions of safety and justice. Child-friendly policing not only protects children but also educates and empowers them, emphasizing their rights and the responsibilities of society to uphold them.

8. Furthermore, adopting such practices positions our officers not merely as enforcers of the law but as advocates and protectors of every citizen’s welfare, particularly the young. This approach encourages a more compassionate and understanding interaction between police and community, which is essential for building a cooperative relationship that benefits all members of society.

9. Overall, our commitment to upholding international child rights standards is integral to building a more inclusive and protective community policing framework. This framework not only supports the development of healthy relationships between law enforcement and community members but also ensures that the rights of the most vulnerable are consistently respected and protected.

10. Protocols on Care of Persons in Custody: Our unwavering commitment to upholding stringent protocols for the care of persons in custody is a cornerstone of our operational ethics, particularly when it involves vulnerable populations such as children. These meticulously designed protocols are tailored to guarantee that every individual detained under our supervision is treated with the utmost dignity, respect, and humanity. This approach is essential not only for meeting legal and ethical standards but also for safeguarding the rights and well-being of those in our custody.

11. By ensuring that these protocols are rigorously followed, we reinforce our dedication to human rights principles and ethical law enforcement practices. This commitment is crucial for fostering a robust relationship of trust and confidence between the police force and the community we serve. Moreover, the implementation of these protocols helps prevent any instances of abuse or neglect that could undermine the integrity of our force and erode public trust.

12. Adherence to these standards involves regular training and education of our officers to handle custody issues sensitively and professionally. It also requires continuous monitoring and evaluation to ensure that our practices remain in alignment with national and international human rights standards. By doing so, we not only protect those in our care but also position the Nigeria Police Force as a model of responsible and ethical policing.

13. This adherence to high standards in custodial care is more than a procedural necessity; it is a moral imperative that reinforces our role as protectors of the community. It establishes a foundation of ethical practices that enhance our interactions with the public, ensuring that our actions reflect the values of justice, fairness, and respect for human dignity.

14. Implementation of Child-Friendly Policing:

Child-friendly policing is essential to modern law enforcement practices. Every interaction with a child, whether as a victim, witness, or even an offender, must be carried out with sensitivity and professionalism. To implement this, we are introducing a comprehensive Child-Friendly Policing Framework that mandates specialized training for officers who engage with minors. This framework will include trauma-informed investigative techniques, emphasizing the importance of non-intimidating environments, respectful communication, and psychological support. By adopting these child-sensitive approaches, we are ensuring that minors are not subjected to further trauma during police investigations, while fostering an environment that encourages them to cooperate with law enforcement.

15. Colleague Officers, let me at this juncture extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, on your exceptional investigative expertise and experience, which have been instrumental in resolving high-profile cases and dismantling deadly criminal gangs. Your tireless efforts, dedication, and professionalism have led to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of numerous dangerous criminal suspects nationwide.

16. Available records in our Force Legal Office shows that your investigative prowess, commitment to duty, and resilience have resulted in 35,604 convictions from 128,988 criminal cases charged to court across the country with 1,782 appeals and 52,601 still undergoing trial since the beginning of this year 2024 to date. Additionally, your teams supported by our various tactical units and others have recovered 1,877 arms and 22,585 ammunitions and rescued several kidnap victims, including the notable cases of 20 medical students in Benue state and students of Confluence University in Kogi state. We did not forget the successful rescue of several minors from their abductors, notably the two children aged 9&11 who were held captive for many months before our brave officers secured their freedom.

17. I commend you for these outstanding achievements and assure you of the Force leadership’s commitment to modernizing the Force through cutting-edge investigative equipment and capacity-building training. We will continue to motivate you to excel by recognizing and rewarding exceptional performance. At our next award and commendation ceremony, more categories will be dedicated to the Investigation and Intelligence Departments.

18. As we celebrate your successes, we must address recent performance gaps. As public servants, you are expected to demonstrate expertise and professionalism at all times. Mistakes can embarrass the Force and undermine public trust.

19. Regrettably, apart from human errors which are sometimes not avoidable, it has been observed that some unprofessional officers have compromised the Investigation

Department’s integrity. These individuals mishandle cases due to incompetence or consideration for personal gains, tarnishing the Force’s image and eroding public confidence. To address this, we are taking urgent steps to weed out unprofessional officers and strengthen our Investigation and Intelligence Departments.

20. Mobilization and Demobilization of Officers in Investigation Units:

To enhance accountability and maintain professionalism, effective immediately, the deployment of officers into and out of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other investigative units will strictly follow the principle of mobilization and demobilization. This structured approach ensures that only officers who have been vetted and adequately trained are mobilized into investigative roles. Demobilization will also follow a structured process, where officers are withdrawn after their assignments to ensure a rotation that prevents the development of corrupt practices or entrenchment in certain roles. This approach is designed to maintain a high level of operational integrity and impartiality in criminal investigations across the Force.

21. Mandatory Specialized Detective Training:

Criminal investigations require specialized skills that go beyond routine policing. Officers deployed to the CID or other investigation units must undergo comprehensive training programs to ensure they are well-equipped to handle complex criminal cases. It is now mandatory for all officers to complete the Specialized Professional Training Program at recognized institutions such as the Police Detective College, Enugu, or other designated detective colleges in Nigeria. For senior officers, the Revised Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College, Jos is compulsory. This training will cover advanced investigative techniques, forensics, legal frameworks, and the ethical obligations of detectives. Only those who meet these high standards will be certified as detectives, ensuring that the CID is staffed by capable, ethical, and professionally trained officers.

22. Certification of Detective Officers:

Upon successful completion of the requisite training, officers will be awarded the title of Detective, signifying their expertise in criminal investigation. This certification will reflect in their ranks (e.g., Detective Constable, Detective Corporal, Detective Sergeant) up to the rank of CSP, formalizing their status as highly trained professionals. This designation not only elevates the role of detectives within the Force but also fosters a culture of pride and accountability. It will be a badge of honour that distinguishes officers who have committed to mastering the complexities of criminal investigation.

23. Annual Detective Workshops:

The ever-evolving nature of crime demands that our detectives remain at the cutting edge of investigative practices. To this end, annual workshops will be instituted to ensure detectives continually update their skills and knowledge. These workshops will cover new developments in forensic science, digital crime investigations, emerging criminal patterns, and legal updates. The workshops will be mandatory, serving as a professional development platform to keep our detectives informed and effective in tackling modern criminal challenges.

24. Establishment of New Detective Colleges:

In recognition of the growing need for specialized training, theForce will propose the establishment of new Detective Colleges across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. These colleges will serve as centres of excellence, providing robust training programs not only for police officers but also for private detectives. The expansion of detective training facilities will increase access to high-quality education in criminal investigation, contributing to the overall professionalization of investigative services in the country. It will also foster collaboration between public law enforcement and private security providers, enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

25. Creation of a New Unit at Force Headquarters:

A new unit will be established at Force Headquarters tasked with overseeing the implementation of these reforms. This department will develop the modalities for mobilization, demobilization, and the continuous professional development of detectives, ensuring full compliance with the Police Act 2020 (as amended). The department will serve as the central authority for all detective training programs, deployment strategies, and policy enforcement, guaranteeing that the highest standards of professionalism are maintained across all investigative units.

26. Training for Intelligence Department Officers:

Officers in the Intelligence Department will also be required to undergo specialized training. Those deployed to intelligence roles must complete the basic intelligence training program at the Intelligence School in Share, Kwara State. Like their counterparts in the CID, their deployment will be governed by a structured system of mobilization and demobilization, ensuring that only well-trained personnel occupy sensitive intelligence roles. This process will guarantee that the Force’s intelligence operations are staffed by officers with the expertise required to gather, analyse, and act on intelligence in a professional and effective manner.

27. These steps mark a decisive moment in the professionalization of criminal investigations within the Nigeria Police Force. By adhering to high standards of child protection, custody care, and continuous training, we are building a stronger, more competent Force that will lead to the realization of a just and secure society.

As I thank you for your attention, commitment and continued dedication to excellence, let us move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and resolve knowing that our collective efforts will lead to a safer, more just and prosperous Nigeria.

God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.