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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on Thursday said the committee that developed the framework for the proposed state police system in the country studied policing models in India, the United States of America, and Pakistan before submitting its recommendations.
The IGP, who made this known at a one-day workshop on state police, urged police personnel to take an active role in shaping the national conversation on the proposed establishment of state police through informed engagement, objective analysis and public enlightenment.
The IGP, who described the workshop organised by the Nigeria Police Institute as a timely platform for critical reflection on one of Nigeria’s most significant security policy debates, stressed the need for police personnel to be well informed as discussions on the proposed reform continue across the country.
He said:
“As discussions on the creation of State Police continue to gain momentum across the country, members of the Nigeria Police Force must remain well-informed and contribute constructively to the ongoing discourse.
He also said:
“The workshop provides an opportunity for participants to examine the implications of State Police, raise pertinent questions, address legitimate concerns and make meaningful contributions that would enrich national policy discussions on policing and internal security.”
Speaking on the work that went into the proposal, the IGP said the committee examined state policing systems in other countries before drafting Nigeria’s framework.
He said:
“A lot of comparative analysis has been done. We have taken time to study nations where they have state police – India, America and even Pakistan – and how things work there.”
He also revealed:
“The governors have already set up their committees. They have already almost concluded. In fact, they have concluded.
“We started late. We caught up with them, and I’m happy to say our work is what they are deliberating on today.”
Speaking further, the IGP said:
“I think it took us 17 days only to come up with a framework that has become the genesis of what everybody is working on today. And we still need to put some finishing touches to it.”
He further stated that former Inspectors-General of Police had reviewed the document and offered recommendations to improve it.
“Retired Inspectors-General of Police have visited me and they have shown their concern, and we have deliberated. They have put in their contributions into this as well.”
He urged participants to treat the workshop with seriousness and make meaningful contributions to the ongoing efforts to develop a state policing framework for the country.
Recalling the committee’s work, the IGP said there were initial disagreements over whether the police should develop its own framework because some believed the decision on state police had already been taken.
“And I’ll go back to when we were about to start. Argument arose that decisions had been taken and we should just sit down and be complacent and not do anything about it. I’m happy we quickly agreed to set up a committee,” the IGP said.
