The new Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa has read a riot act to criminals and policemen serving in the command.
CP Owohunwa further warned political thugs to desist from any criminal act as he promised to deal ruthless with them.
The new commissioner who took over from Sylvester Abiodun Alabi said he has not come to Lagos to play but to work. I have collected the command template from the former commissioner of police that I will study.
He said that during Alabi’s tenure, he provided the requisite leadership which stabilized the internal security space in Lagos State. Sir, for your service and achievements, you shall remain eternally celebrated in the history of the Command and indeed, the Force.3.
“I promise that under my watch, I will be hard on deviants within the fold of the State Police Command who continually bring us into disrepute and pitch us against the citizens we are paid to serve and protect.
“Such elements are encouraged to embrace the tenets of self-discipline in the common good or be ready to for the consequences. An undisciplined officer is a threat not only to the policing family but to the community and the State he serves.
”My leadership will be founded firmly and strictly on discipline and professionalism, and you should please all return to your jurisdictions and deepen the lecture on this to your men. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
“So let me sound this warning as loudly and clearly as possible. If you perform your duties within acceptable ethical and professional standards, you shall have my back in the line of your duties. But if you exceed the permissible ethical and professional bounds, you shall be dealt with firmly. Let no officer be in doubt on this in relation to my leadership.
“Lagos State Police Command under my watch will be manifestly hard on criminals and their networks but civil with law abiding citizens and respectful of their rights. In this regard, in due course sets of actions that will address issues impacting on seamless police-public trust and partnership will be initiated and details of this and the broad policing action plans for the state will be shared with you. When this is done, my expectation will be for all of you to key into it and adapt your policing approach accordingly.”