The need to have a holistic view of the concept of human rights and the role it plays in the work of the police has been emphasized.

The emphasis was given at a two day workshop organized by the Justice Development and Peace Commission  (JDPC) in collaboration with the Oyo state police command  tagged “human rights for police officers” at the conference hall of the police headquarters Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria.

In her welcome address the head of democracy and human rights programme of the Justice and Peace Commission Mrs. Nike Ibitara noted that the issue of human right will continue to be an all important issue to be discussed at all levels of the society noting that the rights of the police is not often discussed but remains very important in ensuring an effective police system.

She expressed optimism that the workshop will be fruitful and engender good relationship between the police and members of the public adding that the lessons learnt and facts gathered at the programme will be applied and used for further advocacy.

Speaking exclusively with CEOAFRICA news at the event the Oyo state deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Mr. Adoda O. Clement described the event as quite timely and coming at a time when human right and the rule of law is the order of the day.

The DCP emphasized the need for the training and retraining of the officers adding that the workshop will help the officers in knowing how to handle the suspects and criminals effectively without violating their rights and thanked the JDPC for putting the programme together.

In his presentation at the workshop, the national coordinator of the network on police reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) Mr. Emeka Nwanevu explained that the duty of every police officer is to serve and protect their communities noting that for them to be able to carry out this vital duty, they must of necessity be aware of the source, nature, content and limits of the rights of the individuals with whom they come in contact.

He stressed that human training for police officers is an essential means of promoting human rights-based approaches to policing.

Mr. Nwanevu noted that the abuse of police powers and due legal process as well as unprofessional conducts perpetuate a bad image for the Nigeria police force and corrodes public trust and cooperation and called on law enforcement agencies to conduct themselves in ways that will guarantee and invite public support.

The event provided a platform for the participants to highlight on some of the challenges they face in the cause of carrying out their duties and expressed optimism that the issues raised at the workshop would be effectively addressed.