PCRC  Holds National Security Capacity Building Programme In Rivers As CP Disu Harps On Synergy Between Police And Public

…Presents Cheque Of 250,000 To Widow of Slain Inspector

The Public Community Relations Committee(PCRC),Rivers, on Thursday 22nd May,2024  Command held a one day National Security Capacity Building Programme with the Theme “The Strategic Role Of The PCRC In An Evolving Policing System In Nigeria”.

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 noted that conflict cannot stop because there is constant change in life.

Dr.Chiorlu disclosed that the PCRC and Police face conflicts in line of their duty.

“Conflicts can come from several ways.Conflicts can come from you as an individaul.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 the 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 endeavour to reduce crisis,conflicts with their resources and such resouces that will  help PCRC to reduce crisis and conflict include men and women,money,material,machines,moral,time etc.

Another 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  there 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.The Police work under stress.There is limit which we can be a man.We need the topic on mental health.

“I am here to talk on 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  Poliice and the public.PCRC helps in improving Police accountability and transparency PCRC  provides platform where citizens can make complaints to the Police Authority.

“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 in Rivers state is  man with zero tolerance for crime and criminality.He  commended the executives of  PCRC in Rivers state for their dedication and selfless service.

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.Crimimals are now relocationg 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  criticise 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 offcer is dismissed .Let go home with what we learnt today to re -train our members.

Another 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,learn 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  dessiminate what you learnt to the community.You have to impact knowledge to the society”.

The Chairman of PCRC in  Rivers State, Voke Emore who gave the vote of thanks  noted that the training is essential to PCRC members to be acquinted with modern strategies of intelligence and informations 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 at Rumulomeni in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers last Month .The Cheque was issued by the National Chairman of PCRC in behalf of the organization and was received by a representative of Police Officers Wives Association(POWA) on behalf of Mrs Peace Sunday.

Our correspondent reports that traditional rulers,entertainers,the media, representatives of other security agencies, Divisional,Area Commands and State members of PCRC were all in attendance

Rivera PCRC Chairman,Voke Emore having Hand Shake With CP Disu

Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan,National Chairman of PCRC presenting cheque of 250,000 naira to POWA representative to give to Peace Sunday Wife of Slain Inspector Sunday Baba