Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, led the state Police Command on community service as part of the activities marking the National Police Day.
The celebration, which began on 2 April, 2025, across the 36 states and the FCT, was aimed at fostering trust and confidence between the Police and the public.
These were stated in a press release by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, on Sunday.
CP Adepoju took the community service to mark the National Police Say to Creek Road Market, Mile 1 Park and Azikiwe Road, among other areas in Port-Harcourt where the Police engaged in cleaning activities.
With the police commissioner were officers and men of the Rivers Police Command, Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and honorary members of the Police Officers’ Mess.
Addressing newsmen at Creek Road Market, CP Adepoju said the role of the Police Force in the community is beyond law enforcement.
He said it entailed building trust and confidence between the Police and the public, adding that the Police Force is not just about law enforcement but also about serving the community.
Adepoju noted that since the event commemorating the National Police Day started, the Rivers Command has been engaging with the community and other key stakeholders.
He said this included lectures, free medical services for members of the public as well as families of power officers and men and other activities to strengthen ties with the community.
“The Police is building trust and confidence in the people. The National Police Day is the first of its kind, in line with the IGP’s directives.
“I want the residents to know that we are for them and we will continue to serve and protect them at all times. The public should know that we are free to dialogue with them.
“We will continue to observe this event every year and they should see us as part of them; they should continue to synergise and relate with us. Police is your friend,” he asserted.
Chairman of PCRC, Mr. Voke Emore, noted that the Committee is one of the organisations that marked the National Police Day.
“The collaboration between the Police and the community is getting better and stronger,” he said as he commended the Rivers Police Command for its efforts in bridging the gap between the Police and the community.
Emore highlighted the commendable initiative of cleaning Creek Road Market, which is one of the biggest markets in Port Harcourt and encouraged members of the community to feel free and comfortable in approaching the Police at any time.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police Finance/Administration), DCP Samuel Erale-Etaifo, advised officers and men of the Command to prioritise their health, emphasising its importance in their line of duty.
