Writing By Daniel Karlmax, Editing By Godwin Duru
A Global Network, Initiative of Change IofC, also known as Moral Re-Armament, has emphasized the importance of trust-building as a key strategy for strengthening the relationship between the Police and the public to enhance service delivery, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
IofC, which has an active presence in 78 countries, is committed to promoting trust-building, ethical leadership, and sustainable living, with a focus on strengthening the moral and spiritual foundations of societies, as well as fostering healing and reconciliation in conflict-prone communities.
This formed the central focus of the IofC trust-building programme, tagged “Police I Care,” organized in collaboration with the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC), Kaduna, at the Kaduna State Police Command.
Speaking during the programme, the General Secretary of IofC, Mr. Abiodun Osheni, said the Police I Care initiative was designed to mitigate the devastation caused by distrust, hatred, suspicion, and apathy, which have weakened collective responsibility in the protection of lives and property.
According to him, there is an existing statutory relationship between the community, the people, and the police, which needs to be strengthened to ensure effective safety and security.
“Whether we like it or not, there is already an established relationship between the community, the people, and the police, and this relationship is statutory. We believe there is a need to bridge the gap and take part in building this very fragile bridge of trust, with the hope that one day we will all be committed to improving police–community relations,” he said.
Mr. Osheni noted that when communities support the police, it becomes easier to protect lives and property, recalling instances in Lagos where communities protected police stations from being burnt during unrest.
“In one scenario, a Divisional Police Officer had built a friendly relationship with the community. She sometimes brought drinks and food to youths playing football. When some people attempted to burn the station, others resisted, saying, ‘You can’t burn it; this woman is a good person,’” he added.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Mohammad Rabiu, represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, ACP Abdullahi Yahaya, commended the organizers and pledged the Command’s continued partnership with IofC.
“Trust made this programme possible, and that is why we support it. We urge participants to disseminate the knowledge gained here to the larger society, their organizations, and their homes. This lesson starts with attitudinal change at the individual and family levels,” he said.
He assured that the Command would continue to partner with the organization, describing the initiative as a service to humanity.
Also speaking, the Co-Founder of the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, Rev. James Wuye, said the trust-building programme was aimed at correcting misconceptions between the police and society while creating a platform for a new, people-oriented policing system.
He explained that the community engagement provided an opportunity for citizens to better understand their role in enabling effective policing.
“Through this trust-building process, societal fears are laid before the police, and the police also express their concerns.
“For the first time in such programmes, the police are hearing that society cares about them. That is why the programme is tagged ‘Police I Care,’” Rev. Wuye said.
He added that the initiative seeks to build a synergy for a people-oriented police force that understands it serves the same communities it returns to after duty.
Some participants identified human rights violations and delayed responses to emergencies as major challenges, while police officers raised concerns about labelling, stigmatization, and discrimination.
Both sides, however, pledged to improve their conduct and work towards building a more united and progressive society following the dialogue seminar.
The community engagement programme brought together traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the media.
It featured group discussions, presentations and interactive sessions focusing on challenges and grievances between the police and the public.
Daniel Karlmax
