“The CPOs will be recruited from within the communities where the prospective applicants reside and average of 50 CPOs are to be engaged in each of the 774 Local Government Areas.”
The Nigeria Police Force says it will recruit 40,000 people as community policing officers (CPOs).
Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police, said this at a meeting with other senior police officers in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adamu revealed that the CPOs would boost cooperation between the police and community members, adding that they will also act as liaisons between the police and their communities.
He added that the CPOs would be recruited from within the communities across all local government areas in Nigeria.
He said, “We are drawing on the Provisions of the Police Act in relation to the recruitment and utilisation of Special Constables who will be engaged as Community Policing Officers (CPOs) under the coordination of the Nigeria Police towards evolving a community-focused policing architecture.
“The breakdown of the Community Policing deployment plan covers the recruitment of a total of 40,000 CPOs across the country in the interim.
“The CPOs will be recruited from within the communities where the prospective applicants reside and average of 50 CPOs are to be engaged in each of the 774 Local Government Areas.”
The police boss also stated the CPOs would be deployed to complement the police in law enforcement functions within their localities by performing low-risk and non-sensitive duties.
“In addition, 1,300 CPOs will be drawn from professional bodies like the academics, Road Transport Unions, Artisans, Traders Associations, Religious Bodies, Women Unions, and Youth Organisations among others in order to ensure diverse representation.
“When fully implemented, the Community Policing Strategy will bridge the gap between the Police and the citizens in a manner that will enhance optimal, cost-effective, and sustainable law enforcement service delivery by the Police,” Adamu added.