A successful security of lives and property in a nation is feasible when there is an effective line of communication within the neighbourhood for effective information gathering. Records showed that a successful security operation towards nipping a crime in its early stages is intelligent information gathering from a particular locality and not a display of mere sectoral weaponry, which has resulted in a security waterloo in the time past.
Most of the developed world security outfits, either military or police, base their tactical operations on intelligent information gathering mainly from local residents or special agents earmarked for such assignments. Findings have shown that most of these security operatives from the developed countries have achieved a lot in the provision of adequate security for their citizens through surveillance and preventive tactical approaches rather than battling methods.
Today most African nations are still battling with rising rates of crimes and criminality across their neighbourhoods without effectively applying a community relations approach, where some selected residents will be a secured instrument of information for security operatives. First-hand information received from the locale and community will help in no small measure to nip the crime in the bud before it bursts with collateral damage, which has been our recurrent story.
Globally, security is always under a specialised body, an organisation or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order. But the entire gamut of a nation’s security system can be rendered ineffective in curbing crimes and criminality when it is overstressed, lacks adequate manpower and modern equipment, is poorly funded, and lacks reliable information gathering techniques.
The Nigerian government across various levels has put in place staffer security measures, and they should be commended for implementing several of them towards fighting crimes. Some of these measures include the purchase of helicopters, surveillance drones, patrol vans, bulletproof vests, walkie-talkie communication gadgets, the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV), and the establishment of local security outfits like Amotekun in the Southwest, among others across nations. Despite this, the country’s security architecture is still facing significant security challenges in effectively carrying out its constitutional role, particularly in preventing and nipping crimes in the bud and bringing offenders to quick justice to serve as a deterrent to others.
This has exacerbated crime rates such as smuggling, banditry, high-class terrorism, kidnapping, drug peddling, cultism, and ritualism among others on a daily basis among the youths, as all designated security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Navy, are overwhelmed with the growing criminal’s effronteries.
Recent findings show that, for Nigeria to achieve success in all its security implementations, there is a need for synergy, collaboration, as well as a feedback mechanism among all the security agencies and the engagement of citizens, particularly the leadership of communities across the nation.
The step in achieving the security community relations for effective information gathering in successful security operations led to the establishment of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in 1984 by the then Inspector-General of Police, Etim Inyang. Initially, the PCRC functioned at the state, area command, and divisional levels to enhance efficient and effective policing in Nigerian communities.
To further regulate activities of the association for uniformity across levels, a national body was formed in 2006, which led to the election of national PCRC officers.
The operations of PCRC were legalised and reinvigorated through Section 113(1) of the Police Act 2020, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. Additionally, Section 117(2) of the same Act states that “The Inspector General of Police (IGP), in implementing community policing, shall promote organisational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address conditions that cause crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”
These partnerships and improved understanding implemented between the public and the police have contributed greatly to crime prevention, control, and improved overall security through intelligence/information gathering and corresponding actions that have changed the security narratives today.
The government at all levels should therefore empower PCRC for effective coordination in surveillance as local community intelligence to achieve its set goals.
Firstly, the PCRC was established to partner with the Nigeria Police Force to create a cordial working relationship that benefits both the police and the general public in crime prevention. Secondly, it was established to assist the NPF in combating crimes by gathering intelligence on criminal activities within its communities. Thirdly, the PCRC also offers logistical assistance and facilitates problem-solving discussions with the NPF.
PCRC are selected executive members from different Community Development Associations (CDA) among interested residents, who will be trained through seminars, conferences, and workshops on crime prevention strategies and intelligence gathering. Above all, the PCRC members should also be protected and secured so as to promote delivery, as they function as a bridge between the police and the public through various stakeholders with the goal of reducing crime and promoting adequate security in communities.
Records showed that a lot of criminal-related disputes had been successfully resolved across communities in the states through the mutual relationship between the police and PCRC. It is therefore evident that, for the country to effectively police the nation and rid it of crimes, other security agencies should also key into the PCRC model towards making communities crime-free.
In all, the PCRC strategy is indeed a bold step taken by the Nigeria Police Force to prevent and control crimes as well as ensure public safety through police and community partnerships. It is obvious from the appraisal that the PCRC has proved an effective tool in crime control and prevention and can equally boost the security architecture of the country. But there are setbacks that need to be addressed in order to improve the performance of the PCRC and public safety and security generally. It is true that security is everybody’s business, and if you see something, say something.
