By Mathias Oko
Monday, July 11, 2005

Last week, the Centre for Law Enforcement Initiative Popularly known as CLEEN Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria police, area 'B' command, Mushin, and Mushin Local Government area of Lagos inaugurated the Mushin branch of community policing partnership forum in Lagos. The forum which is part of police efforts at stemming the tide of crime in the society and enhance police/public relations is also meant to give a community the ownership and responsibility of policing its community. This in effect means, that any given community, in liaison with the police will take part in the day to day policing of its community.

Lamidi Maliki, a former ambassador and chairman CLEEN foundation told the audience during the inauguration that the main objective of the organisation was to educate the Nigeria populace and the police on the need to be partners in crime prevention. He explained that in the time past, members of the public would always wait for a crime to be committed before getting in contact with the police, noting that such era was gone as the society is now being sensitised and educated on the need for mutual relationship between the police and the public. "In as much as the police are there to protect lives and property, the public owe it a duty to also support the police in order to effectively carry out their primary responsibility of protecting the people.

Frank Odita, former commissioner of police and guest speaker at the occasion highlighted the importance of community policing. This include knowing your policemen and for the police to know you well, having a say in the way and manner the business of policing your community is carried out, prioritising individual needs and ensuring implementation through participation. Others include respect for human rights, access to justice and rule of law, quality services and transparency among others.