IG unveils Lagos complaint response unit

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IG unveils Lagos complaint response unit

The acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Wednesday unveiled the first state-based Complaints Response Unit at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

Egbetokun also assured Nigerians that the unit would be functional in all the states of the federation.

The IGP, while commending the state Commissioner of Police for pioneering the initiative reiterated that the unit was not established to witch-hunt police officers but to promote accountability in the police force.

He added that the unit would be manned by officers with impeccable integrity.

He said, “I want to commend the Commissioner of Police for the prompt establishment of the Complaint Response Unit in Lagos. The Complaint Response Unit is established not to witch-hunt policemen but to promote accountability in the police. It is going to enhance police-community collaboration and build confidence in the members of the public.

“Officers who are going to man this unit are going to be carefully selected. They are going to be officers with impeccable integrity. They will be trained and be given regular training including opportunities for overseas training. We are going to equip the Unit and make it functional across the states of the federation to demonstrate our genuine commitment to transparency.”

On the proposed establishment of a special intervention, Egbetokun disclosed that the mobilisation of personnel had begun to that effect.

He said this was in line with ongoing efforts to rid some troubled parts of the country of criminal elements.

He said, “We are embarking on the establishment of a special intervention squad. We have started mobilisation to make a success of that. And very soon, the SIS will start operation in the states that we have chosen as pilot states. Just give us a little more time and you will start seeing our actions yield results.

“Luckily we have a government in place that cares about the welfare of the police officers and the challenges relating to welfare. I have assurances from Mr president that efforts are underway to bring smiles to the faces of policemen in Nigeria,” he added.

The state Police commissioner, Idowu Owohunwa said the rights of police officers would be protected against malicious complaints filed by members of the public, adding that publicity would commence next week

He said, “The CRU has an application for e-reporting of crimes which enables citizens to report crimes from the comfort of their homes or offices without necessarily coming to the police station to report.”

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and former president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata also declared to support the police in establishing more Complaint Response Unit across some states of the federation.