The Inspector General of Police Adamu Mohammed says the security challenges currently being experienced in the country will be greatly reduced by the full adoption of community policing.

Consequent upon the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari a few months ago of community policing, the Inspector-General of Police has directed that the scheme should take off in all the states across the country.

While inaugurating the Oyo State community policing advisory committee held at the Government House, Agodi Ibadan Oyo state on Friday, the I.G who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, department of research and planning, force headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade said community policing as a policing model rests on the philosophy and principles of public partnership, intelligence gathering and inter/multi-agency collaboration.

“The Community Policing Project is in stages: the first stage earlier began with sensitization initiated by the IGP. The second stage will be the implementation stage. It is at this stage that various committees are set up. These committees include the State Community Policing Advisory Committee, the State community Policing Committee, Area Command Community Policing Advisory Committee, Local Government Community Policing Advisory Committee and the Divisional Community Policing Committee. After the implementation stage comes the recruitment of Special Constables, and finally, training and kitting.

“The State Community Policing Advisory Committee which is being inaugurated here today shall be the ‘custodian of community policing in the state’. It is the highest advisory committee that also reports to the governor. It is going to be saddled with the responsibility of dealing with community policing policy matters. Membership of the committee shall include persons of impeccable character and sterling qualities such as Paramount Traditional Ruler and the Commissioner of Police in the State who shall be co-chairmen,” he said at the ceremony.