Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, on Tuesday, said that the ability of the force to win over public trust and confidence as a pathway to crime management can only be achieved by police officers themself.

He identified rebranding of officers of the Nigeria Police Force and projecting them positively to the citizens as a gateway to achieving such goal.

Speaking at a Four-day Capacity Building Workshop for Police Public Relations Officers at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu, Anambra State, the IGP observed that certain indiscretions and perceived inactions by some personnel of the Force as well as security challenges in some parts of the country have impacted negatively on the police.

The IGP, who was represented at the event by AIG Zone 9, Baba Tijani, said that in line with the changing policing environment, the Force is embracing the concept of community policing.

According to him, the effort is geared towards building strong partnership with the citizens and in so doing, attain its mandate.

Adamu said: “It is imperative that we continually equip the Police Public Relations Officers with necessary skills and knowledge to efficiently engage the public and effectively manage the image and perception about the Force.”

He expressed hope that at the end of the workshop, the capacity of Officers taking part in the workshop would have been significantly broadened and skills sharpened for optimal performance especially in the area of bridging the gap between the police and the public.

Addressing participants, the State Governor, Willie Obiano, told the Officers that as agents of security, much is expected of them.

He reminded the Officers that they were in the state to learn, unlearn and relearn saying that knowledge is not power when it is not utilised.

“It is important to learn as much as you can in these four days. Much is expected of you. Polish more of your image,” the Governor said.

He called on his counterparts in other states of the federation to motivate the police by supporting them saying that in so doing, the best would be gotten out of them.

Obiano while promising to hand over more sophisticated equipment to the state Police Command on the last day of the event assured the police officers that the state would take care of their needs to ensure a result oriented workshop.

On his part, the Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba explained that the workshop will help equip and impact the Officers with the required skills and knowledge.

According to him, the knowledge will further enable them to face the contemporary challenges and managing crisis situation in the Force.

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