By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Police Command has reaffirmed the directives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), charging officers and men to uphold professionalism, discipline, accountability, and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens.

The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi Command, CP Hope Urunwa-Okafor, gave the charge at the weekend during a strategic meeting with Heads of Departments, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and other senior officers following the Inspector-General's meeting with the Strategic Management Team of the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, the meeting focused on communicating the IGP's operational directives and reinforcing ethical policing across the command.

Addressing the officers, the Commissioner warned against all forms of professional misconduct, including incivility to members of the public, extortion, harassment, abuse of office and other unethical practices, stressing that such actions would not be tolerated.

She also directed senior officers to strengthen supervision of personnel under their command, warning that supervisory officers would be held accountable for misconduct arising from lapses in oversight.

With political activities ahead of forthcoming elections expected to intensify, CP Urunwa-Okafor ordered Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to enhance intelligence gathering and sustain intelligence-led operations against criminal hideouts to forestall crime and maintain public safety.

The Commissioner further cautioned officers against conducting unlawful searches of citizens' mobile phones and other personal electronic devices without a valid search warrant, describing the practice as a violation of constitutional rights.

She urged officers to conduct themselves in ways that would protect the image of the Nigeria Police Force by demonstrating integrity, professionalism, respect for human rights and courteous service in all dealings with the public.