By Silvernews
The newly elected Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Zone 9 Police Command, Umuahia, Sir Nze Bon Erege, has pledged to strengthen police-community relations and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
Erege, who emerged through a consensus arrangement, made the pledge in an interview with Silvernews shortly after his election, expressing excitement over the new responsibility and promising to reposition the PCRC for effective service delivery.
He noted that the organisation needed fresh leadership and renewed commitment to its mandate, alleging that little progress had been recorded over the previous 16 years.
“I’m very, very happy. The person who was there had stayed for 16 years, and when you look at what is happening, you discover that not much has been achieved. It was a consensus agreement that I should come in and develop the organisation, and I am determined to do so,” he said.
The new PCRC chairman identified police accountability, professionalism and public trust as major priorities of his administration, stressing that the committee would work with the police hierarchy to discourage misconduct and improve relations between officers and members of the public.
“Police is our friend. We want the police to behave the way they are supposed to behave. We want people to have confidence in them.
“People are afraid because of the way some officers behave. This time around, we are going to ensure that bad conduct is checked and that the police earn the trust of the people,” Erege stated.
He further called for a change in the perception of Zone 9, insisting that the area should not be portrayed as an unsafe environment.
Erege also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, pledging the PCRC’s support towards improving the operational structures and human resources of the police formation.
People think Zone 9 is hell, but that is not true. The new Inspector-General of Police is a wonderful man, a PhD holder, who has come to serve, and we are going to help him serve. We will support efforts to develop both the structures and human resources in the zone,” he added.
The PCRC chairman, however, urged residents and other stakeholders to maintain confidence in the police and embrace cooperation with security agencies, assuring them that his administration would work towards building a stronger partnership between the police and the communities.
“A good thing is coming. Let the people continue to believe that the police are their friends,” he assured.
