The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Emeka has warned members of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) not to hobnob with criminals in their domain.
CP gave the warning during a meeting with PCRC members in Officer’s Mess old GRA, Porthacourt on Thursday, June 15,2023.
CP Emeka noted that some persons join PCRC because of who. “Even when they know somebody committed an offence, they we come and show ID card to solicit for the person .I will only identify with members that identify with good of the society” CP Emeka said.
The Rivers Police Boss admonished PCRC to continue the good work they are doing noting that it Is a volunteer work. He said he wants the synergy to continue between the PCRC and the Police from level of Divisions, Area commands, zones and the nation at large.
CP Emeka urged PCRC members to Keep being good ambassador of the state in crime fighting. He thanked members of the organization for being peace makers and do their best interns of sharing intelligence for the Police to their work. He also tasked members of the organization not to hesitate to assist Police stations in terms of mobility and logistics whenever they can.
In his speech, the PCRC Chairman in Rivers State, Voke Emore said members of the organization are not above the law. “Mine of PCRC members are not criminals. Arrest any one who aid Criminals. We will collect our ID cards from such person, You can be rest assured” Mr. Emore said.
The PCRC Chairman also commended the CP for killing of Nwodi Onuigwe, Rivers most wanted terrorist.
Speaking further with Journalists after the event, Mr. Emore said “This is our regular monthly meeting but is a special day because we also welcomed the Commissioner of Police of the command to this command. We also wanted to give him a vote of confidence for the activities done so far by the Police under his watch. Is amazing that as a self motivated CP he did not wait for any Governor, wait for any PCRC, he did not wait for any Royal father, he took it upon himself to take actions that will better the community in Rivers State and safety of lives and property of these communities in the State.
“We have seen him to be an action CP and said, will must host him today to tell him thank you for what he has done so far and we appreciate the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba and the Police Service Commission which deemed it fit to send an active, proactive, dynamic and gallant CP like himself.
“Just like other Association, we have a constitution that guide us and crime is one of those things that we do not permit or tolerate in any form.
“Before now, you could go to a Police officer and obtain PCRC ID card but all those have stopped. All our ID cards come from the office of the Force PPRO and you are thoroughly drilled .
“Is not about the money any more, is about the kind of person you are. You can see from the example of the State Chairman that is before you today, I am the state Chairman .I am not the oldest. I am one of the youngest member of PCRC and they deemed it fit because of the kind of person I am and the capacity. I have to be the state Chairman to organize the PCRC.
“If you look at the members, we have currently, they are mostly gentlemen, very fantastic and dynamic men and women.
“PCRC is a bridge between the community and the Police, the PCRC is not a spy for the Police. The PCRC only helps the community to understand the role of the Police in the community and also helps the Police to understand the culture of the community, which means that we are bringing that dynamism into the Police.
“Relating with the society, you cannot be always brutal, You have to work with them.
For the PCRC members, f you have criminals around you you, you have to report to the right source .We tell you how to pass your message, who to report to.
“We try to inform the community on how to do things. Meanwhile when we go back to the Police, we also try to help them.
A lot of them do not have vehicles. You Know that the Police is poorly funded and the new PSC(Police Service Commission) Chairman said he wants to make Police better. We hope he does that because PCRC is burdened with always renovating, repairing cars.
“We try sometimes to provide accommodation for DPOs that are urgently transferred to community, make them very comfortable. If they are deployed to your community and they don’t have where to sleep, criminals can get to them first before getting to you .Police formed the Association so we can be bridge builders between the public and the Police” he said.