By Mokobia Rita.
ASABA/Nigeria: The new Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, has ordered a review of the command’s existing crime-fighting strategies as part of efforts to make police operations more preventive, measurable and responsive to emerging security threats.
Erale disclosed this on Tuesday during his inaugural press briefing in Asaba, where he outlined his priorities for the command after assuming office as the 25th Commissioner of Police in the state.
A major component of the new approach, he said, would be the use of crime data, intelligence assessment and technology to determine operational priorities and respond to changing patterns of criminal activity.
The commissioner also said performance indicators would be introduced for tactical units of the command, with a view to improving efficiency, accountability and the effectiveness of personnel deployed for security operations.
He said the review would enable the command to determine which existing strategies were producing results, identify gaps and make necessary adjustments.
Erale said the command would increasingly emphasise crime prevention rather than waiting for criminal incidents to occur before responding.
The commissioner identified kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, cybercrime, violent crime and oil-related offences among the threats that would receive increased operational attention.
He said deployment of personnel and other resources would be guided by intelligence and identified crime patterns, rather than relying solely on conventional policing methods.
According to him, continuous training would also be required to equip officers with the skills needed to respond to evolving forms of criminality.
Erale, however, said operational effectiveness would have to go hand in hand with professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.
He directed officers to adhere strictly to police regulations and ethical standards, declaring that corruption, extortion and other forms of misconduct would not be tolerated under his leadership.
He also pledged to recognise officers who demonstrate integrity, dedication and exceptional commitment to duty.
The commissioner said restoring public confidence would be another priority of the command, stressing that effective policing depends substantially on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
He said the command would strengthen its relationship with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth and women organisations, religious institutions and other stakeholders to improve the flow of credible information.
Erale appealed to residents to provide timely information on suspicious activities, saying such cooperation could help the police detect threats before they escalate.
He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies operating in the state, noting that intelligence sharing and coordinated operations were necessary to confront security threats that cut across institutional boundaries.
The commissioner described Delta as a strategically important part of the Niger Delta whose economic activities require a stable security environment.
He said protecting lives and property remained the command’s primary responsibility and assured residents that the police would operate within the law in pursuing that mandate.
Erale commended his predecessor, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, for the work carried out during his tenure and said his administration would build on existing gains while responding to emerging security challenges.
He also assured journalists of an open and professional relationship with the command, while charging officers and men to understand and support the new direction.
“We will build forward, not backwards, consolidating gains while confronting emerging threats with renewed energy and clarity,” he said.
