The Lagos Police Command, monday said it has begun the
implementation of the recommendations of a panel of inquiry into
concerns of professional misconduct by its different units of
operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ag. CP Imohimi Edgal, who made this
discloure at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, said the
recommendations will critically reassess past and current issues of
allegations of human rights abuses against activities of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anti-Kidnapping Squad and
Anti-Cultism Squad.
He said the widely consulted panel of retired commissioners of
police, credible journalists and lawyers from reputable chambers
and human right bodies, did a careful instropect of measures that
can reallign the enforcement agency with modern democratic policing
and international best practices.
He said, “We will look into all allegations of human right
abuses against officers and men of the units and give
recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.
“We will profile personnel currently posted to the units and
determine their suitability to continue in their units
“We will also make recommendations for the immediate training of
officers and men of the units on the principles and tenets of
fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
“Also, disturbing issues relating to investigation of civil
matters, illegal detentions, prolonged and unconstitutional
detentions, safety and custody of exhibits, welfare of suspects and
detainees, sexual abuses molestation in any form, right to bail
with an emphasis that bail is and must remain free, among other
areas that the panel has deemed reasonable for modification, would
be overhauled to sharpen the force’s performance and boost its
image.
“I have reviewed this report with senior officers in my
management team. We have looked at it and all the recommendations
therein and we have resolved to immediately implement those short
term aspects that we can give directives at the level of the
command to ensure that we make the SARS more professional, result
oriented and more in tune with international best practices and
modern day democratic policing.
“However the long term aspects that require approvals from force
headquarters will be used on to the appropriate quarters for review
and necessary approvals.”
Imohimi however called on all media platforms to be dutiful in
circumspection when dealing with social media reports, adding that
they seek clarification for such reports.
He said, “At this period, we must not be unmindful of the antics
those uncomfortable with the relative peace which has come as a
result of strong partnership between the police and members of the
public in line with the philosophy and ideologies of community
policing.
“I also urge Lagosians to utilise the platform of the Public
Complaints Hot Center at Alausa to report professional conduct and
misconduct of policemen in the state.”
The Lagos Police Command, monday said it has begun the
implementation of the recommendations of a panel of inquiry into
concerns of professional misconduct by its different units of
operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ag. CP Imohimi Edgal, who made this
discloure at the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, said the
recommendations will critically reassess past and current issues of
allegations of human rights abuses against activities of the
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anti-Kidnapping Squad and
Anti-Cultism Squad.
He said the widely consulted panel of retired commissioners of
police, credible journalists and lawyers from reputable chambers
and human right bodies, did a careful instropect of measures that
can reallign the enforcement agency with modern democratic policing
and international best practices.
He said, “We will look into all allegations of human right
abuses against officers and men of the units and give
recommendations to prevent reoccurrence.
“We will profile personnel currently posted to the units and
determine their suitability to continue in their units
“We will also make recommendations for the immediate training of
officers and men of the units on the principles and tenets of
fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
“Also, disturbing issues relating to investigation of civil
matters, illegal detentions, prolonged and unconstitutional
detentions, safety and custody of exhibits, welfare of suspects and
detainees, sexual abuses molestation in any form, right to bail
with an emphasis that bail is and must remain free, among other
areas that the panel has deemed reasonable for modification, would
be overhauled to sharpen the force’s performance and boost its
image.
“I have reviewed this report with senior officers in my
management team. We have looked at it and all the recommendations
therein and we have resolved to immediately implement those short
term aspects that we can give directives at the level of the
command to ensure that we make the SARS more professional, result
oriented and more in tune with international best practices and
modern day democratic policing.
“However the long term aspects that require approvals from force
headquarters will be used on to the appropriate quarters for review
and necessary approvals.”
Imohimi however called on all media platforms to be dutiful in
circumspection when dealing with social media reports, adding that
they seek clarification for such reports.
He said, “At this period, we must not be unmindful of the antics
those uncomfortable with the relative peace which has come as a
result of strong partnership between the police and members of the
public in line with the philosophy and ideologies of community
policing.
“I also urge Lagosians to utilise the platform of the Public
Complaints Hot Center at Alausa to report professional conduct and
misconduct of policemen in the state.”