The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said education, research and technology are essential to building a modern, professional and intelligence-driven police force capable of addressing emerging security challenges in the country.

Disu stated this in Abuja during a meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Sonny Echono, where he also appealed for sustained support towards the expansion and modernization of police educational institutions.

The IGP said many of the complaints against the Nigeria Police Force were linked to deficiencies in education and professional development, stressing that modern policing now requires scientific and technology-driven approaches.

He said: “We realise that we cannot do our jobs without education. If you notice any lapses in what the police do, all the complaints we have against the police boil down to education.

“Policing has gone beyond stereotypes. We want to be scientific. We need specialists in forensics, criminology, cyber security and data analytics. We want research-driven policing supported by advanced technology.”

The police chief explained that the force was repositioning its training institutions to align with global best practices, noting that the proposed police university in Ogun State would mark a major milestone in the ongoing reform agenda of the force.

“The future of effective policing lies in education, innovation, professionalism and strategic partnership,” he stated.

Disu disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force already has officers trained in artificial intelligence, drone operations and crime analytics, adding that the force was increasingly adopting predictive policing methods to anticipate criminal activities.

“We are doing analytics in policing. We can predict crimes happening. At the end of the year, for example, we notice increases in fraud, accidents and other crimes. These are things that data and research help us to understand and prevent,” he said.

The IGP appealed to TETFund to continue its intervention in areas such as academic infrastructure, ICT facilities, laboratories, research centres and staff development programmes for police institutions.

Responding, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Echono, assured the police leadership of the agency’s continued support, describing Disu as a highly professional officer whose reputation for excellence preceded his appointment as Inspector-General of Police.

“TETFund has had a long history of collaboration with the Nigerian Police Force, and we will continue to strengthen that partnership,” Echono said.

He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Ogun State, adding that funds had already been released for its takeoff.

“We have made funds available for the takeoff facilities, and our team will begin joint inspection and evaluation with the police team immediately,” he said.

Echono urged the police leadership to ensure that the Ogun campus attains full university status within a few years to enable it access direct annual intervention funding from TETFund.

“The moment the institution becomes a full-fledged university, it will begin to enjoy sustainable annual funding just like other beneficiary institutions,” he added.

The TETFund boss also pledged support for specialised training programmes for police officers in areas including technology, cyber security and advanced investigations.

According to him, modern crime has become increasingly sophisticated and technology-driven. (The Nation)