The CLEEN Foundation has said it is committed to rooting for police reforms and boost public trust in law enforcement agencies among Nigerians.
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Gad Peter, disclosed this when they convened stakeholders in Bauchi from the justice sector to explore innovative strategies for transforming policing in the country.
The CLEEN Foundation emphasized the need for a holistic and inclusive approach to police reforms which will address systemic issues within the police force, including accountability, transparency, and community engagement.
“There’s a difference between police work and policing; all of us here are policing. For the police and other force sectors to work in our country, we must encourage them to work and also enforce the importance of good governance. Reform in police is not just about changing policies; it’s about changing mindsets and building a culture of trust and accountability,” said Peter.
The two-day discussions highlighted several key components of the proposed reforms, including enhanced training programs for police officers, improved data on police recruits, a change in work ethics, the implementation of technology-driven solutions for better accountability, and the establishment of independent oversight bodies to monitor police activities.
According to him, these measures can bridge the gap between the police and the communities they serve, fostering a more collaborative and transparent relationship.
SP Ahmad Wakili, Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, commended the CLEEN Foundation for the event.
He noted that his organization has embraced the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). “Bauchi State has 33 divisions, and the knowledge has been disseminated; each of our IPOs now knows that females can grant bail, and the issue of arrest by proxy has been addressed.
“In relation to police reform, in the past three months, we handled 26 cases where we recovered about 1.5 billion Naira. We will not relax as we will also look into areas discussed here and go back to our drawing board to see how we can bring about change.”
Participants at the event expressed optimism about the potential impact of the CLEEN Foundation’s approach. “This is a significant step towards achieving a more just and equitable society,” noted Priscilla from the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
She added “By influencing the change we need, all CSOs and stakeholders must adopt a holistic approach.”