The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali has tasked police special constabulary to operate within the ambit of the law.
Alkali gave the charge on Wednesday ìn Enugu while declaring open a two day capacity building workshop for community policing stakeholders in the South-East.
The police boss was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Research and Planning, Mr John Amadi.
He warned the constabulary not to engage in any act that was contrary to the community policing implementation process.
According to him, being a police special constabulary is voluntary and does not attract any remuneration.
He said the clarification was necessary in view of the recent unwarranted protests by some police special constabulary in some parts of the country.
Alkali explained that quasi security personnel volunteers were only expected to partner and complement the police in safeguarding their respective communities.
“I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari for his presidential wisdom in approving and adopting the community policing model as an internal security strategy for the whole country,” he said.
The I-G expressed the hope that the full actualisation of community policing would strengthen understanding and renew confidence between the police and communities.
A retired Commissioner of Police, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, who is one of the resource persons, identified lack of trust, inadequate funding and government policy summersault as factors militating against the successful implementation of community policing.
Also, the traditional ruler of Amaowo community in Imo, Eze Peter Njemanze said the involvement of traditional rulers in community policing would ensure its success.
Njemanze appealed to government to consider some form of remuneration to the special police constabulary to boost their morale.
The workshop was attended by stakeholders from Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. (NAN)
