The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that the committee that developed the framework for the proposed state police system studied India, the United States of America and Pakistan’s models before submitting its recommendations.
Also, IGP Disu 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.
Disu said these on Thursday at a one-day workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Police Institute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Abuja.
The IGP described the workshop as a timely platform for critical reflection on one of Nigeria’s most significant security policy debates, stressing 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.
“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.”
India, America, Pakistan systems
On the works that went into the proposal, IGP Disu said the committee examined state policing systems in other countries before drafting Nigeria’s framework.
“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 said.
Also, he 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.
“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 said.
Furthermore, according to Disu, former Inspectors-General of Police 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 said.
