FCT minister tasks community policing committee on crime

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has inaugurated the FCT State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPAC), urging its members to be committed to reducing crime rate in the territory. Malam Bello also advised them to apply the principles of natural justice and the laws of Nigeria while carrying out […]

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has inaugurated the FCT State Community Policing Advisory Committee (SCPAC), urging its members to be committed to reducing crime rate in the territory.

Malam Bello also advised them to apply the principles of natural justice and the laws of Nigeria while carrying out the onerous task of securing lives and property.

While inaugurating the 17-member committee headed by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma, Bello further called on members of the committee to be non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.

He stressed that the concept of community policing was anchored on trust between the people and security agents. A trust which he said must not fall short if the objective of the policy was to be achieved.

The minister said, “Once there is a trust deficit in any guise or form, the workability of this policy becomes highly diminished, and we would have lost a great opportunity in improving the security profile of the territory.”

The minister, through a statement from his spokesman, Anthony Ogunleye, reiterated the need to be fair, just and equitable while selecting those that would serve as members of the Special Constables in the communities.

While giving an overview of the functions of SCPAC, the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Community Policing, Bala Senchi, said it was the highest advisory body on community policing in a state.

AIG Senchi said the implementation of the policy would cascade to the grassroots through the State Community Policing Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee, Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee, the Divisional Community Policing Committee and the Special Constabulary.