Police chiefs have one of the most complex jobs in the world. They also have one of the most important and rewarding jobs in the world. They are responsible for the safety and security of their communities, states or countries. Failure to do so can create an atmosphere of danger and an environment of fear.
The newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun seems to be aware of this and has committed to make a difference by rooting out corruption, stopping the misuse of authority, and taking necessary steps to punish any misbehavior on the part of Nigerian Police Force personnel.
Egbetokun said this at the official handing over event, which took place in Abuja following his appointment. He added that the need to address corruption and the misuse of power inside the system followed a lengthy period of widespread public dissatisfaction with the police.
The police requires participation from all community stakeholders in order to successfully establish and implement a comprehensive strategic plan. The IGP must be able to create a comprehensive plan through open communication with all relevant parties, which will result in efficient and well-coordinated implementation.
In line with the foregoing, the Acting Police Boss has since revealed the Nigeria Police Force’s new policing plans under his watch. He said that his new policies are intended to achieve operational successes and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad made up of members of the Police Mobile Force who are combat-ready and have received effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies is one of the highlights of the IGP’s Policing Vision. Other goals include upholding the sanctity of the legal framework of the Nigeria Police Force, as well as tackling the menace of crimes and criminality.
The new IGP also highlighted several other strategies such as “leveraging cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks for a robust and effective human and technical intelligence gathering process to enhance Police capacity, and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.”
In order to ensure that all areas of the nation are adequately secure, the police force under his leadership intends to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders at all levels, including local leaders. He also pledged that he would exert all efforts to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would sign the Police Pension Bill, which was recently passed by the National Assembly into law, irrespective of resistance from industry stakeholders.
As part of the new IGP’s strategy the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services will be revived to serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers. Additionally, the new Policing Vision will focus on enhancing the Police training curriculum with a special focus on attitudinal and behavioral changes.
Particular emphasis will also be placed on improved welfare, and implementing a new Recognition and Reward system to better motivate and encourage dedicated personnel of the force. Mr Egbetokun believes that this will be achieved through a more deliberate engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the birthing of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group.
Mr Egbetokun has avowed that the Nigeria Police Force will stand for quality, integrity, and compassion, under his command. He urges the citizenry to work with the Police in order to create a future where justice prevails, the weak find comfort, people go about their lawful business without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every person may genuinely believe in the authority of law enforcement.
In order to ensure that all areas of the nation are adequately secure, the police force under his leadership intends to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders at all levels, including local leaders. He also pledged that he would exert all efforts to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would sign the Police Pension Bill, which was recently passed by the National Assembly into law, irrespective of resistance from industry stakeholders.
As part of the new IGP’s strategy the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services will be revived to serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers. Additionally, the new Policing Vision will focus on enhancing the Police training curriculum with a special focus on attitudinal and behavioral changes.
Particular emphasis will also be placed on improved welfare, and implementing a new Recognition and Reward system to better motivate and encourage dedicated personnel of the force. Mr Egbetokun believes that this will be achieved through a more deliberate engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the birthing of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group.
Mr Egbetokun has avowed that the Nigeria Police Force will stand for quality, integrity, and compassion, under his command. He urges the citizenry to work with the Police in order to create a future where justice prevails, the weak find comfort, people go about their lawful business without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every person may genuinely believe in the authority of law enforcement.
The new IGP seems to be committed to his pledge to ensure that there is discipline in the police force. Following the release of a video showing some police officers in Ekpoma, Edo State, pinning a man under their car, Nigerians had taken to social media to voice their displeasure.
To demonstrate his commitment to ensuring that there is discipline in the force, the acting inspector general of police summoned the officers who are thought to have been responsible for the unfortunate incident. The police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the IGP had denounced the misconduct and instructed the offending officers to report to the force headquarters.
Mr. Egbetokun, an Ogun State native, held the rank of deputy inspector general of police prior to being elevated to the position of Inspector General.
He was born on September 4, 1964. On March 3rd, 1990, he enlisted as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) in the Nigeria Police Force.
In line with global best practices education and training have been identified as two things that can add to a chief of police’s know-how and abilities. Mr Egbetokun earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Lagos. He also holds master’s degrees in business administration and engineering analysis from the same institution.
PhD in Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, is also held by Mr. Egbetokun. He participated in various professional training programs and attended the 2018 Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats in Lyon, France.
Having a broad conceptual knowledge of the police force is a cardinal imperative that goes a long way to determine the success of any police chief across the globe. Mr Egbetokun has held several command roles throughout his career and has worked in numerous Police Commands and formations across the nation.
Resourcefulness is certainly necessary when managing and leading any group of personnel within a law enforcement architecture. This resourcefulness becomes intelligible when you have the privilege of serving in different capacities within the law enforcement agency. In Gusau, Zamfara State, and Osogbo, Osun State, Mr Egbetokun held the position of police area commander.
In 1999, while serving as a deputy superintendent of police, he was chosen to serve as the chief security officer for Bola Tinubu, the then-elected governor of Lagos State and current president of Nigeria. In that capacity, he worked with the governor to oversee the state’s security as a whole.
To demonstrate his commitment to ensuring that there is discipline in the force, the acting inspector general of police summoned the officers who are thought to have been responsible for the unfortunate incident. The police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the IGP had denounced the misconduct and instructed the offending officers to report to the force headquarters.
Mr. Egbetokun, an Ogun State native, held the rank of deputy inspector general of police prior to being elevated to the position of Inspector General.
He was born on September 4, 1964. On March 3rd, 1990, he enlisted as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) in the Nigeria Police Force.
In line with global best practices education and training have been identified as two things that can add to a chief of police’s know-how and abilities. Mr Egbetokun earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Lgos. He also holds master’s degrees in business administration and engineering analysis from the same institution.
PhD in Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University in Ilorin, Kwara State, is also held by Mr. Egbetokun. He participated in various professional training programs and attended the 2018 Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats in Lyon, France.
Having a broad conceptual knowledge of the police force is a cardinal imperative that goes a long way to determine the success of any police chief across the globe. Mr Egbetokun has held several command roles throughout his career and has worked in numerous Police Commands and formations across the nation. Resourcefulness is certainly necessary when managing and leading any group of personnel within a law enforcement architecture. This resourcefulness becomes intelligible when you have the privilege of serving in different capacities within the law enforcement agency. In Gusau, Zamfara State, and Osogbo, Osun State, Mr Egbetokun held the position of police area commander.
The ability to evolve and adapt can turn a good leader into a high achieving leader with a loyal following. This seems to be one of the elements working in favour of Mr. Egbetokun. He had previously held the positions of Squadron Commander, Mopol 5, Benin City; Commander, Rapid Response Squad, Lagos; Officer-in-Charge, FCT Command, Abuja; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Fraud Unit; and Chief Superintendent of Police, Administration, Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja. As an assistant commissioner of police he served as Commandant Police Training school Ikeja.
When he attained the rank of a deputy commissioner of police he was deployed to the position of Deputy Commandant Police College.
Mr. Egbetokun served as the Kwara State police commissioner before becoming CP Admin Medical, Falomo, Lagos. After his service at Falomo he was deployed to zone 7 headquarters, Abuja to become AIG in command of that zone. As a Deputy Inspector General of police Mr. Egbetokun oversaw the Criminal Investigations Department of the police force in Abuja prior to his elevation to the revered position of inspector general.
In all of these positions there is a retinue of peers, subordinates, journalists, traditional rulers who avow that he is an officer and a gentleman. It was therefore not surprising that his ex boss in Lagos elevated him to the position of inspector general of police. One good turn, they say deserves another.
One of the most important core values of a police chief is integrity, the cornerstone of a person’s character. Integrity is a core value that if lost or compromised may never be regained. A chief of police must take extreme care to protect and promote his or her own integrity as well as that of the force. This is critical to maintaining the confidence of the department and the community. Mr. Egbetokun has put up more than two decades of exemplary service in the Nigerian police force.
He is not known to have been involved in any scandals or acts that are capable of denting the image of the force by virtue of his being at the saddle.
Respect for other people is a basic value that is essential to a chief of police’ success. This applies to both the force’ officers and the citizens. Respect is a fundamental principle that, when used honestly, will benefit the practitioner. It inspires confidence in the force as a whole as well as in the police chief. It might improve relationships between the force and the citizenry. Being dependable and encouraging a supportive work environment with a respect-based culture are key. Even if it might not be the most popular choice, it is the right thing to do.
The chief of police needs input from all community stakeholders in order to successfully establish and implement a comprehensive strategic plan.
The media is rife with complimentary comments from stakeholders in Lagos, Kwara and several other places where Mr. Egbetokun has served and the indications are that he is a respecter of persons and an officer that does the job with a human face.
He is an expert in peace and security studies and a member of the Society for Peace and Security Practice.
Mr. Egbetokun enjoys reading and plays recreational football and table tennis.He is married with children.
~ Prince Tony Ogbetere.
