Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday charged the 1,030 new Police Constables to uphold the highest ethical standards and be exemplary professionals as members of the Nigeria Police Force.
He gave the charge at the Police College Ikeja where the Constables including 313 women held their passing out parade from training school, urging them to ensure they did not compromise on their integrity in the course of serving the country.
The 1030 Constables are among 10,000 recruited by the police across the country for 2022 Batch.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, appealed to the new cops to treat every Nigerian with respect and care irrespective of their tribe, religion or educational background.
He said: “The challenges ahead will be daunting as they are numerous and demanding. You will face difficult situations that will test your resolve and character, but remember the training you have received, the values you have learned and the support you have from your colleagues and superiors, even from the government.
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Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, advised the new intakes to respect the rule of law and the supremacy of the constitution in the discharge of their duties.
Egbetokun, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, stressed the enormous responsibility that would rest on their shoulders as uniformed men and women, reminding them that they must treat Nigerians with empathy, fairness even while being firm in the discharge of their duties.
“Your role demands you inspire confidence in the security apparatus, demonstrating boldness, discipline, and loyalty to the force,” he re-echoed.
According to the IGP, the government was committed to addressing the manpower deficit in the police force as evidenced in the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the annual recruitment of 30,000 police constables.
He said the upward review from the initial 10,000 annual benchmark would enhance internal security and improve service delivery nationwide.
The new constables, having undergone a six-month rigorous training programme, were lauded for their dedication and perseverance.
The IGP noted that the training incorporated modern law enforcement principles and community policing strategies, equipping the recruits to tackle the nation’s complex security challenges.
Speaking on the strategic deployment of the new constables to their states of origin, the IGP said: “This approach aligns with the community policing principles of this administration and aims to reinforce law enforcement efforts at the grassroots level.”
He urged them to be ambassadors of professionalism, integrity, and patriotism, reminding them that their actions would significantly shape public trust in the police force.
The Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, CP Omolara Ibidun Oloruntola, congratulated the graduates for their resilience and commitment to the rigorous training process.
“You have imbibed the values of discipline, courage, and sacrifice that define our esteemed institution,” she said.
Oloruntola further admonished them to eschew corruption and uphold the principles of fundamental human rights as entrenched in the Constitution.
