IGP: Success of Modern Policing Rests Not Just on Operational Effectiveness But Trust
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday, said the success of modern policing rested not only on operational effectiveness but also on public trust.
Speaking at the decoration ceremony of officers recently elevated to the prestigious ranks of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, Egbetokun stressed that trust was earned when the police were seen as approachable, responsive, and respectful.
Urging the newly promoted senior officers to embody the highest ideals of the policing profession, the IGP stated: “Let your leadership reflect courage, discipline, empathy, and, above all, integrity.”
Egbetokun added: “Let your presence inspire confidence. Let your commands be havens of security. Let your leadership be felt not in fear, but in reassurance. I urge each of you to embody the highest ideals of our profession.
“Let your leadership reflect courage, discipline, empathy, and, above all, integrity. At a time when our society calls ever louder for justice and accountability, we must be seen to uphold these values with unwavering resolve.
“It falls to you, as senior officers, to set the tone—by your conduct, your decisions, and the standards you demand of those under your command.”
The IGP noted that the promotion system today was firmly anchored on fairness and performance.
Noting that with elevation came exposure, Egbetokun said, “You will be watched more closely than ever before. Your decisions, your conduct—both in and out of uniform—will be weighed and measured not just within the Force but by the public at large.”
He told them to lead with transparency, respect for the rule of law, and a deep sense of ethical responsibility.
“Your actions will shape perceptions of the Force and influence the course of policing in Nigeria. I charge you also to embrace innovation, to deepen collaboration with our sister agencies, and to actively engage with the communities you serve,” he said.
