The proposed State Police system in Nigeria has drawn lessons from policing models in India, the United States and Pakistan.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed this as discussions continue over the proposed reform of Nigeria’s security structure.
Disu also urged police officers to take part in the debate through informed views, public education and objective analysis.
He spoke on Thursday at a workshop on State Police organised by the Nigeria Police Institute in Abuja.
The IGP described the event as an important opportunity to examine the proposed system and address concerns surrounding its implementation.
He urged officers to understand the reform before contributing to public discussions about its possible impact.
“As discussions on the creation of State Police continue to gain momentum across the country, members of the Nigeria Police Force must remain well-informed and contribute constructively to the ongoing discourse.
“The workshop provides an opportunity for participants to examine the implications of State Police, raise pertinent questions, address legitimate concerns and make meaningful contributions that would enrich national policy discussions on policing and internal security.”
Disu said the committee working on the proposed framework studied countries where state policing already operates.
“A lot of comparative analysis has been done. We have taken time to study nations where they have state police India, America and even Pakistan and how things work there,” he said.
The State Police framework was developed after the committee examined how policing operates in those countries.
Disu also revealed that state governors had established their own committees to work on the proposed system.
“The governors have already set up their committees. They have already almost concluded. In fact, they have concluded.”
He said the police committee moved quickly after starting its work later than the governors’ committees.
“We started late. We caught up with them, and I’m happy to say our work is what they are deliberating on today.”
According to Disu, the police committee developed its initial framework within just 17 days.
“I think it took us 17 days only to come up with a framework that has become the genesis of what everybody is working on today. And we still need to put some finishing touches to it,” he said.
The IGP added that retired police chiefs had also reviewed the document and offered suggestions.
“Retired Inspectors-General of Police have visited me, and they have shown their concern. And we have deliberated. They have put in their contributions into this as well,” he said.
The ongoing process is expected to shape further discussions about policing, security and the possible responsibilities of state-level police structures.
