By: Eben Enasco Kingsley (Benin City)

For the goals of the Nigeria Police Force to be actualized, the new Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, Chris O. Ezike has warned officers and men of the command in the state to conduct themselves and display utmost professionalism to avoid actions capable of eroding public confidence in the police force.

This was a prelude to the steps outlined in his inaugural address on his assumption of duty as the 35th CP in Edo State to Senior Officers, Area Commanders, DPOs, and HOD’s held at the Officers Mess in Benin City.

COMPOL Ezike noted from the report collated indicates that appalling conducts of the men of the command has made stakeholders lost confidence in the police on discharging their services; asserting that, in proper service delivery, they must eschew all forms of corrupt practices, respects human rights and personal dignity of citizens, avoid act of disloyalty as it will not be tolerated in his reign in office.

He said; “Reports reaching me indicates appalling conducts of the police on stop and search duties along Benin-Okada-Ore highway. The men are alleged to be shamelessly engaged in retrogressive conduct, especially extortion under different guises. Travelers and motorists are complaining loudly and bitterly base on this, intend to immediately set up a monitoring evaluation and control unite that would be under my supervision. The team will be mandated to carry out police locations to ensure police men work as expected without resorting to self-help through extortion or others unethical gimmicks”.

Not done, the police boss relatedly pointed out that broad participation and commitment will help combat issues of armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other social vises related issues. While identifying crime-mapping, intelligence-led policing and response time by tactical units applicable to men of the command as a way of tackling crime.