Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has unfolded a six-point agenda to improve on policing in the country.
The new plan also involves intelligence gathering and the upgrading of the intelligence unit.
Abubakar promised that the Intelligence Department would be equipped to train undercover agents to infiltrate criminal gangs, adding that an intelligence school would be established.
Addressing senior officers from the ranks of commissioners and above at the monthly IG Conference at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Abubakar said zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police would be empowered to make administrative and operational decisions in their areas.
He said the AIGs would be held responsible for acts of lawlessness and disorder in their various zones, adding that the police would work with the people in the communities, irrespective of their social status, economic position and religious beliefs.
The Police boss said modern technologies would be used in fighting crimes.
He also said surveillance cameras, DNA analysis, computerised license plate scanners and other high-tech systems would be used to apprehend criminals.
He explained that a new initiative, ‘Neighbourhood Viewpoint’ that determines the crime and disorder priorities from the community perspective would be inaugurated and made central to the new policing plan.
Abubakar said one of his goals was to make his officers have the best training tactics and equipment to keep themselves and the country safe.
“We are in the midst of an ambitious initiative to survey every neighbourhood in the country to determine crime and disorder priorities from the community perspective and we call this the “Neighbourhood Viewpoint,” the IG said.
According to him, the basic task of law and order confronting the force are surmountable, adding that it only requires qualitative leadership and partnership with relevant agencies and the citizens.
He pledged that the upsurge in violent crimes would be addressed, adding that the Police would rededicate themselves to providing unfailing public safety, security and service to the citizens and visitors alike.
The IG said his administration would strive for professionalism, noting that the police as constituted, could be effective because all operational police officers were classified as general duty officers and a few as specialists.
“The system is fluid and thus allow personnel to function in all departments of the force without really being able to have a good knowledge and understanding of the function of any of the units,” Abubakar stated.
He noted that the force under his leadership would be re-assessed and a new stratification mapped out while officers and men would be posted to departments and units according to their flair, capabilities and competence.
