PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

U.S. Envoy Donates Bicycles Under U.S. Supported Community Policing Project

Date: February 17, 2009
Venue: Nigerian Police College, Kaduna

Ambassador Sanders makes a symbolic presentation of a bycicle to IG of Police representative CP Tambari Yabo Muhammad. | Download High resolution photo

U.S. Ambassador Robin Renée Sanders on February 17 handed over 150 bicycles donated by the U.S. Government to the Nigerian Police Force, concluding a multi-year Community Policing project.  Speaking at the Police College, Kaduna, at an American National Week event, Ambassador Sanders said the Community Policing project is a concrete example of the benefits of our partnership with the people of Nigeria to ensure peace and security in their communities.   These bicycles complete the total donation of 500 bicycles provided by the U.S. Government for this project.

The community policing project began in 2004 at the Kaduna Police College.  The U.S. Government has provided $152,000 (22.8 million Naira) for the project to support the community policing efforts of the Nigeria Police Force.  The project includes classroom lessons and practical training for police officers and constables in the Kaduna area. Community policing is also an integral part of the curriculum for the basic recruit course at the Police College.   This integrated approach strengthens the relationship between the community and the police by enabling the police to communicate effectively with and gain the trust of the local community. 

Under the project the USG trained mid level, senior level officers and constables through classroom and practical lessons after which they were presented with 25 bicycles to enable them patrol Rigasa division in Kaduna to interact and report crimes.

The project was also introduced to 18 members of an NGO, Interfaith forum (IFF) which works with the community and the police to promote peace and prevent communal clashes.  Interfaith Forum does this through keeping the community informed of the functions of the police.

A final training was conducted in bicycle patrol for constables in 4 divisions within the Kaduna State command namely Kawo, Ungwar Rimi, Ungwan Sanusi and Kakuri divisions.

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