Policing Lagos is not a tea party, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Police Command, Hakeem Odumosu said on Wednesday.
Odumosu who spoke while being honoured by Lagos lawmakers, has just been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG). He will be retiring from the Police in January,
The Police chief who led a team of officers to the House, thanked the lawmakers for their support during his stay in the state.
According to him, nothing could have been achieved in terms of security, without the lawmakers.
He said he would remain grateful to Lagos and Lagosians for making it possible for him and his team to effectively police the state and make it the most peaceful in the country.
Odumosu, who described Lagos as a mini-Nigeria, noted that the proactiveness of the Lagos Assembly resulted in the laws that have helped the police remain successful in the state.
“We promise to continue to excel in providing water-tight security for the people.
“Policing Lagos is not a tea party. Without the laws in place, it would have been difficult to police the state.
“Don’t get tired, don’t relent in making the laws that would make Lagos maintain its place as the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” he said.
Odumosu also promised to encourage his successor to sustain the relationship between the police and the House, while urging the lawmakers to support to continue to support the command.
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, who received the retiring police top shot, cautioned police officers against harassment, intimidation and extortion of residents if they want to be respected.
He noted that Odumosu was the first Commissioner of Police to appear in the hallowed chambers and address Lagosians on his experience with policing Lagos because he is considered to have effectively managed the security of the state.
He thanked Odumosu for his openness and responsiveness each time there were issues affecting the peace of the state.
The lawmakers also hailed Odumosu for a successful tenure, adding that his experience would always be needed in the state even after his retirement.
Obasa said: “It is important to let those coming after you know that the relationship between the police and the people need to be constantly improved upon.
“Officers and men of the Force need to build trust among the people and make the latter know they are being served.
“Everybody must be treated with respect, dignity and honour, and that is how you can earn our respect.
“Policing should not be about harassment and extortion but building trust among the people and making them comfortable.”
