The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,psc (+), NPM, fdc, inaugurated a 3-day Intensive Capacity Building Workshop for Police Public Relations Officers, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA Ikeja in Lagos. The workshop was attended by PPROs from the Southern states of the Federation. The workshop’s theme, “Crime Scene Management and Conclusive Criminal Investigations – The Role of Police Spokespersons” is expected to provide officers with skills to understand and communicate complex crime scene situations to citizens.
The workshop is organized in partnership with the Nigeria – German Development Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the many interventions by the organization in building and strengthening Police structures and capacity in Nigeria. The workshop would be in two (2) batches with the first batch holding in Lagos and the second in Abuja. This is for positive intellectual impact and also in compliance with the COVID-19 prevention regulations.
In his remarks, IGP Alkali noted that he is particularly excited about the workshop, because, it is coming at a time when the Force is implementing a new Manpower Development Policy, which amongst other things, focuses on improving the capacity of Police personnel across all ranks, in line with new policing standards and best practices.
“This workshop for Police Public Relations Officers is timely and unique in many ways. One of these is the contextual theme of the workshop which seeks to develop robust forensic awareness and knowledge for our Spokespersons. This in itself flows from contemporary public relations practice which identifies Police spokespersons across the world as one of the first responders to crime scenes. This is in addition to many other important roles played by Police Spokespersons in managing crime incidents throughout the investigative processes. These roles are germane to the pursuit of professional criminal investigations and the dispensation of justice to both the victims and defendants”. IGP stated.
In addition, IGP said the course also seeks to equip the participants with skills necessary for effective descriptive, analytical, and strategic communication touching on criminal investigations and procedure, which will, in turn, enable them acquire relevant skills to give appropriate responses to citizens and media inquiries into matter of forensic and evidential nature connected to ongoing criminal investigations.
The IGP further said that he does not doubt that the 3-days workshop would, amongst other benefits, impact Police Spokespersons positively, particularly in the areas of Strategic Communication and Crime Scene Management, adding that participants of the course must be reminded that, to succeed as Police Image Makers, they must be versatile and have deep theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of policing, covering administration, operations, investigations, forensics, amongst others and that the quest for resourcefulness, remains an integral part of the objective of the course.
The IGP also encouraged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities the workshop presents, to interact, cross-fertilize and broaden their skills, especially in responding to crime incidents and fit-in to the ever demanding, dynamic but necessary task of information management and public engagement, for the Force, adding that he is confident that the trainees will put up their best of performance throughout the training and reflect the knowledge gained in their service delivery.
“The Nigeria Police, under my watch, remains committed to well-thought-out and goal-driven partnership and collaborations, with progressive and positive-minded organizations such as the GIZ, targeted at enhancing professional, structural and operational capacity of the Force. The Force would sustain this relationship and open new areas of collaborations, particularly ones touching on capacities on criminal investigations, respect for human rights, access to justice for citizens, improved transparency and accountability in policing actions, and other deliberate efforts aimed at strengthening citizens’ complaint response system”, he added.
However, IGP appreciated the Head of Component, GIZ Nigeria, Gertjan de Gruijter, for GIZ’s approval and for undertaking to sponsor and organize the workshop.
