The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Olatunji Disu, has called for collaboration between the Police and journalists in the State.
Disu made the call on Tuesday during his visit to the State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
This was contained in a statement signed by the State NUJ Secretary, Ike Wigodo.
The Police Commissioner said he was at the NUJ Press Centre to felicitate with journalists and to request for a better synergy between the Police and journalists in the State.
He described journalists as an essential part of government that cannot be left behind anytime in the society.
“I have come to tell you that we understand the importance of the job you do. You hold the Fourth Estate, a very important one that cannot be left behind anytime. You are a government. I’ve come to acknowledge what you do for the society”, he said.
The Police boss promised to work in synergy with journalists and facilitate communication between NUJ and the State Police Command.
“I have come to tell you that I will work with you, I’ll be open with you, I’ll collaborate with you and I’ll give you access to me. It’s not going to be official thing”, he said.
He urged journalists to always report any infringement of their rights by the Police to him, saying he has a lot of respect for Press freedom.
Meanwhile, Disu promised to engage various communities in the State in the fight against crime and criminality in line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, saying the Police alone cannot fight crime.
He disclosed that he had extended partnership with sister security agencies in the State, adding that with the kind of assurance he has got from them, crime would be a thing of the past in the State.
In his response, the NUJ chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, thanked the Police Commissioner for the visit, noting that the visit was the first of such by any Police Commissioner in long years.
He congratulated CP Disu on his appointment and commended the State Police Command for its efforts in combating crimes in the State.
He, however, urged the Police Service Commission to review its recruitment policy and employ only persons that love the job and not those who want the job for a living.
The NUJ chairman also demanded for the Police protection of journalists in the course of their duties, especially during electioneering period.
Signed:
Ike Wigodo
Secretary,
NUJ, Rivers State Council he