Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, says the committee that developed the framework for the proposed establishment of State Police in Nigeria studied policing models in India, the United States and Pakistan.
Disu disclosed this on Thursday at a one-day workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Police Institute at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Abuja.
The IGP described the workshop as a timely platform for critical reflection on one of Nigeria’s major security policy debates.
He urged police personnel to remain informed and contribute constructively to discussions surrounding the proposed reform through objective analysis and public enlightenment.
“As discussions on the creation of State Police continue to gain momentum across the country, members of the Nigeria Police Force must remain well-informed and contribute constructively to the ongoing discourse,” Disu said.
He said the workshop provided an opportunity for participants to examine the implications of State Police, raise pertinent questions, address legitimate concerns and contribute to national policy discussions on policing and internal security.
Speaking on the development of the proposed framework, Disu said the committee conducted comparative studies of countries operating state-level policing systems.
“A lot of comparative analysis has been done. We have taken time to study nations where they have state police — India, America and even Pakistan — and how things work there,” he said.
The IGP also disclosed that state governors had established their own committees to work on the proposed reform.
“The governors have already set up their committees. They have already almost concluded. In fact, they have concluded.
“We started late. We caught up with them, and I’m happy to say our work is what they are deliberating on today,” he said.
Disu said the police committee developed its framework within 17 days, describing the document as the foundation of ongoing deliberations on State Police.
“I think it took us 17 days only to come up with a framework that has become the genesis of what everybody is working on today. And we still need to put some finishing touches to it,” he said.
He added that retired Inspectors-General of Police had also reviewed the document and made contributions towards improving the proposed framework.
“Retired Inspectors-General of Police have visited me, and they have shown their concern. And we have deliberated. They have put in their contributions into this as well,” Disu said.
The IGP stressed the importance of ensuring that police personnel were adequately informed about the proposed State Police system as the national debate continues.
He said informed participation by serving and retired police officers would help address concerns and strengthen the policy formulation process.
