Police in Bayelsa reposition command to tackle crime

NEDU MARK, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Police Command, Thursday, said it has repositioned to tackle the high incidence of crime and other crime-related challenges and also respond effectively to the task of making the state crime-free.
Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa state, Mr. Paul Okafor stated this in Yenagoa during a keynote speech at a one-day workshop jointly organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Chapter and the state Police command which held Thursday.
The workshop took place at the NUJ complex with its theme; Strengthening the Synergy between Media and the Bayelsa state police command towards achieving a crime-free society.
Noting that no society can totally ward off crimes, Okafor, however, insisted that the command is determined in its efforts aimed at reducing crime rates across the state.
While stating that a collaborative synergy between the police and the media would improve community policing and reduce social vices, he noted that Bayelsa state is among the states with the lowest crime rate and insisted that there should be regular intelligence sharing between the two sectors of government.
He also noted that both the police force and media practitioners face similar societal challenges while executing their legitimate duties.
According to Okafor, the regular challenges faced by both organs hamper their productivities.
He called for constructive criticism and more investigative reporting so as to unearth the truth and expose societal ills.
“A policeman is always attacked while carrying out his social responsibility; likewise media practitioners are harassed and beaten up while sourcing for news”.
Earlier, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bayelsa state, Comrade Tarinyo Akono said the police and the media are two critical institutions that rely on information to strive.
He noted that the Nigeria Police Force, despite their challenges have been improving in fighting crimes and criminalities in the state.