AIG Hassan task police personnel on attitudinal change

By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE

The Zone 2 Commander, AIG Bala Hassan has charged men under his command to have a change of attitude with a view to serving the public well.

He was speaking on Monday at the opening of a two-day seminar on Service Compact (SERVICOM) Sensitization programme by the Force Headquarters, Abuja taking place at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan.

He said that the sensitization programme was long overdue especially as most members of the force are ignorant of the principles and logic upon which SERVICOM is based.

“It is important that you all leave this place with sound knowledge of what SERVICOM is all about and what is expected of you as police officers. You are to go back to your various stations and duty posts to propagate the ideals of SERVICOM.

AIG affirmed while speaking to the participants comprising Senior Officers, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and rank and file that “most people don’t know that you have a duty to perform; this uniform is a symbol of authority and it is the responsibility bestowed on you to serve the people.

“It is a contract you have entered with the Nigeria people to serve them; if they call you, you must go there and serve at any given time and people should not be forcing you to do your work.

“If someone applies for police report, the principle of SERVICOM demands that before the person comes looking for it, once it is approved and signed by the DPO, such person doesn’t need to see the person before preparing the report, it should be ready. They don’t need to come and wait the whole day asking for a particular service to be delivered. SERVICOM demands that if there is a robbery distress call, you should be there on time to make sure that you serve the people; you don’t have to delay, AIG Hassan reiterated.

While commending the Lagos state government for the provision of equipment to the Lagos Command, AIG Hassan acknowledged the fact that the equipment by the Lagos state government will go a long way in assisting the police; especially the zone in crime prevention within its Areas of Responsibility because we have such challenge as vehicles, boats and helicopters.

“It is not enough to have equipment but you must give service delivery. We have a contract with the Nigeria nation to give them good service because we believe that if you serve Nigerians well that is the only way you can move forward.”

AIG Hassan disclosed that Zone 2 Command will be launching next week, “Police is your friend platform” that will enable the police to get to where people with trouble (in distress) are for prompt assistance. “We have acquired five big motorcycles and train some men that will be patrolling the streets of Lagos. For any reason, you are stopped on the highway for no just cause, sometimes policemen stop you and ask of CMR, something that is not known to law; it is your duty to call the office of the Zone Public Relations Officer (PRO) to report.

“We shall give out some dedicated numbers to reach them. If you are carrying some pepper to Idumota and a police stops you to ask some unreasonable questions, it is your duty to call that platform and those police will come and resolve the problem. Where our men are wrong, we are going to default them,” he added.

Assuring Lagosians of a crime free yuletide, AIG Hassan pointed out that they are already strategizing with the two Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun states, Area Commanders on operational strategy to tackle insecurity especially during the yuletide period and to ensure better service delivery to the people and that is why the IGP called for this lecture on SERVICOM.

While cautioning Nigerians, he said the gullibility of some Nigerians that make people to victimise them saying “People should be vigilant and shouldn’t make themselves vulnerable to deception. Be careful when receiving hand pack; know who is bringing it and carry out minor security checks of the content before receiving it. Call the person bringing the hand pack before collecting it so that they will not end up being criminals.”

In his response, the Assistant Commissioner of Police SERVICOM, Force Headquarters, ACP Funso Ajao said the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has mandated him to move round Commands with a view to educating and sensitizing officers and the rank and file about SERVICOM and the need to imbibe attitudinal change in the discharge of their responsibilities as police officers. During the two-day lecture, the participants drawn from all commands were tutored on SERVICOM, Community policing and attitudinal change.

SERVICOM , essentially is to identify and promote the culture of providing service by the Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies. It is a social contract between the force and public, providing a framework for service delivery.