Police in Lagos on Tuesday deployed 1,250 special constabulary officers for community policing to boost security in different parts of the state.
Community policing is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to complement the efforts of the police to effectively combat crime and criminal activities.
Speaking at the passing-out parade of the community policing special constabulary officers held at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu appealed to all Lagosians, especially community leaders and associations, to support community policing by cooperating with the officers.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his chief of staff Tayo Ayinde, assured the special police constabularies that his administration would provide everything they will require to carry out their assignment most efficiently and effectively.
He said: “The issue of security and safety of lives and property have been a major source of concern, which requires deliberate and urgent attention by the government, and the cooperation of all citizens. In an attempt to address this challenge, there was a national consensus on the need to embrace community policing which has been identified as a potent strategy that will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police to effectively combat crime and criminal activities.
“I want to appeal to all Lagoslans especially community leaders and associations to support this initiative by cooperating with these officers. They are no strangers but people that are known to you within your community. Let us therefore embrace this initiative to improve security and safety of lives and property within our various communities.”
Sanwo-Olu also implored the officers to operate within their operational guidelines.
The IGP was represented by Assistant Inspector-General Olasupo Ajani.
