The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has charged Police Public Relations Officers to be versatile and knowledgeable in various aspects policing.

The IGP said due to vital role of spokespersons in handling information related to crimes and criminality, there is a need for dynamic strategic communication skills for them.

He gave the admonition at the ongoing three-day workshop organised for the PPROs in Kano.

Baba, who was represented by Kano State Commissioner of Police, Samaila Dikko, said the workshop will also equip the PPROs with necessary expertise in response to public and media engagement with the police.

He said: “Participants of this workshop must be reminded that, to succeed as police image makers, they must be versatile and have deep theoretical and practical knowledge of all aspects of policing, covering administration, operations, investigations, and forensics, amongst others.

“Without mincing words, police spokespersons play vital roles in managing information related to crime and criminality, and in ensuring that the public is kept abreast of required information that will ensure public safety, peace and stability. Hence, there is need to equip Police Public Relations Officers with dynamic strategic communication skills.

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“The workshop will avail the participants with skills and expertise in communication. It will also enable participants to acquire advance relevant skills to give appropriate response to enquiries from both the public and the media on the reform agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

According to the IGP, the training will public-private partnership and improve communication drive.

“The 3-days fully residential intensive capacity building workshop would also amongst other things impact police spokespersons positively, particularly in the areas of police-public partnership and communication drives to improve criminal investigations, capacity building, community policing concept, and effective service delivery,” he said.

Baba added that police were committed to training and retraining its personnel for effective policing of the country.

He urged the participants to leverage on the workshop to exchange ideas and tap from expertise of the resource persons at the training.

“I urge you to take advantage of this workshop to interact and communicate with one another, share ideas, and expand your communication skills, especially in responding to topical issues relating to security and public safety as and when due.

“Experienced and professional resource persons were engaged and I am confident that they will bring the best out of you for effective service delivery,” the IGP stated.

The workshop on ‘Strategic Communication’, which will hold from June 21 to 23, 2022, is organised by the Presidential Committee on Police Reforms in partnership with UNDP and CLEEN Foundation.

The Star