COMMUNITY POLICING: A CASE OF LAGOS STATE NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY CORPS LAW.

COMMUNITY POLICING: A CASE OF LAGOS STATE NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY CORPS LAW.

A seminar paper presentation to the members of local vigilante groups in Mile 2 , Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria, on 31st August, 203 by Fashina Shakiru.

Community policing is when individuals and organizations partner with traditional police forces to make their neighborhoods safer and minimize crimes. The effectiveness of community policing depends on the public having confidence and trust in the police.

It’s worth note that security is a fundamental aspect of any society, and in Nigeria, The traditional police work alongside formal security agencies to address local security challenges.

This paper presentation highlights how community security engages in providing support for crime reduction in the Ketu Ikosi Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

LAGOS STATE NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFETY CORPS LAW
This law establishes the Lagos State Neighbourhoods Safety Corps Law (LNSC), a community-based security outfit designed to assist in maintaining law and order. The LNSC operates under the supervision of the Lagos State government and collaborates with the Nigeria Police Force.

EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY-LED SECURITY INITIATIVES
1. Neighbourhood Watch Program: The community can establish neighbourhood watch groups where residents may volunteer to monitor their communities and report suspicious activities to local law enforcement. This can be done by organising community meetings to recruit volunteers, establishing communication channels (such as WhatsApp groups), and collaborating with local police for training and support.

1. Community Patrols: Here, the community organises patrols by community members to increase visibility and detect criminal activities.

2. Community Policing Forums: This entails having regular forums where community members, local leaders, and police officers discuss security issues and collaborate on solutions.

3. Surveillance Systems: This involves the installation of CCTV cameras in strategic locations to monitor and observe criminal activities.

FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNITY POLICING 1. Tasked with “identifying security challenges peculiar to their communities and proffering solutions to address them.” 2. Responsible for. “Building trust and confidence between the community and the police.” 3. Expected to “mobilise support and resources for community policing activities.”

FUNDING OF COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVES
1. Allows for the establishment of a community policing fund, which will be utilised to support community policing activities.2. The fund can receive contributions from various sources, including government allocations, donations, and grants.

REFERENCES
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
2. Police Act, 2020 (Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette)
3. Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law, 2016 (Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette, No. 26, vol. 49 of 2016).
4. NSCDC Act, 2003 (Cap C20 LFN 2004)