Anita Ogona
The Police Community Relations Committee(PCRC),Rivers Command held a one day National Security Capacity Building Program with the Theme “The Strategic Role Of The PCRC In An Evolving Policing System In Nigeria” on Thursday, May 22nd,2024
Dr.Divine Chiorlu who spoke on the topic Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: PCRC’s Strategies for Resolving Conflicts and Complaints Between the Police and The Public noting that conflict cannot stop because change is constant in life.
Dr.Chiorlu disclosed that the PCRC, Police face conflicts inline of their duty.
“Conflicts can come from several ways. Conflicts can come from you as individual. We have interpersonal conflict, intrapersonal conflict, organizational conflict. The paper will look at the Role of the Police: They are to enforce law and orders.
“The Public where PCRC falls have to support the Police and community in making sure rules and orders are obeyed .We have to make peace .
“To resolve conflict there are processes of litigation involving law and court while Alternative Dispute Resolution involves settling the matter out of court” he said.
Dr.Chiorlu also listed community engagement forums as a method of reducing crisis by PCRC.
He stated that PCRC should endeavor to reduce crisis, conflicts with their resources and such resources that will help PCRC to reduce crisis and conflict include men and women, money, material, machines, moral, time.
Another guest speaker, CSP Oparaka Emugh-s George PHD in his lecture on “Concept of Community Policing In Nigeria: Reminiscing The Golden Old Days noted that in Nigeria we have Circumstantial and inborn criminals.
The keynote speaker and Commissioner of Police in Rivers State. CP Olatunji Disu in his address said “We are public enemy number one. IGP has spoken to CPs to ensure we cooperate with PCRC. The PCRC in Rivers is exceptional. We work under stress. There is limit which we can be a man. We need the topic on mental health.
“I am here to talk strategic role of PCRC.
On assumption of office the IGP outlined direction of Nigeria Police will take in terms of crime fighting. IGP emphasized community policing where the PCRC stands outs.
“In recent years we have seen changes emerge. The PCRC is a crucial bridge between police and the public. PCRC helps in improving Police accountability and transpency.it provides platform where citizens can complain .
“PCRC enhances intelligence gathering and information sharing between police and the public. They support crime prevention and community safety, facilitates conflict resolution between the Police and the community.
“It is clear that PCRC will continue to be essential component of evolving policing in Nigeria”.
In his address, the guest of honour and National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan noted that the CP Rivers state is man with zero tolerance for crime and criminality, other guests .He commended the executives of PCRC in Rivers state.
He said ” We commend our DPO, Area Commanders for their work in Rivers state. Working in Rivers state is like working in war zone, is not easy. We thank IGP Egbetokun for posting an award winning CP to Rivers state. Criminals are now relocating from Rivers because with the CP you cannot stay in the state.
“Let our members redouble their efforts in assisting the Police to fight crime. You should not criticize members of the police in the public. You can do the correction behind the scene. No DPO can boost of five hours sleep let alone the CP.
“We should always be there for the Police and not to pull them down. It saddens my heart whenever a police officer is dismissed .Lets go home with what we learnt today to retrain our members.
Other speaker, Dr. Otega Okinono who spoke on the topic “The Coping Strategies for maintaining a positive and balanced mental health in contemporary society” said mental health disorder issue is a critical issue as it leads to depression. She said it leads to depression and people should take care of their mental health before it gets to mental health disorder.
In his welcome address the Chief Host, DCN Kenneth Otuonunyo said “We are here to learn, learning is also the way forward in PCRC .The body PCRC was formed to give assistance to the Police to tackle crime and for the members to follow the current trend on crime fighting.
“We thank everybody for coming. we also thank the National Chairman for his presence. At the end of the day, you have to disseminate what you learnt to the community. You have to impact knowledge to the society”.
Earlier, the Chairman of PCRC Rivers State Voke Emore noted that the training is essential to PCRC members to be acquainted with modern strategies of intelligence and information’s sharing to the Police on activities of criminals.
Mr Emore also revealed that the PCRC do not admit criminals into the organization. He stated that the intending members will first apply and screened by SIB before such person will be admitted into the organization.
One of the high points of the event was presentation of Cheque of 250,000 naira to Mrs. Peace Sunday widow of Inspector Sunday Baba killed by unknown persons .
Traditional rulers, entertainers ,the media, representatives of other security agencies, Divisional, Area Commands and State members of PCRC were all in attendance
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