Jonathan Towuru, the Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing Zone Six in Calabar, urged recently promoted Assistant Superintendents of Police to exhibit tangible leadership traits and uphold police discipline.
Addressing a group of 47 Assistant Superintendents of Police during their official induction into the Zonal Command Officers Mess, Towuru emphasized the need for these officers to grasp that their elevated roles entail heightened responsibilities.
In his admonition to the new ASPs, Towuru said, “I want to charge you to realize that you are leaders of the rank and file in the police units you are posted to.
”You must display this leadership role as you can be posted to any part of the country. You must maintain police discipline.”
“Many police officers tend to be careless with their health. They should ensure that they listen to medical advice, do regular checkups and exercises, and eat well.”
He also cautioned them to maintain the standard and rules operational in the Officers’ Mess.
Also speaking, retired Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Achong in his advice, expressed sadness over the deterioration of discipline and poor official dressing habits in the force.
“Many policemen dress poorly in official uniforms. Some wear slippers and ragtag uniforms at official hours.”
“In those days, Calabar had 10 police divisions and it was an ASP that was in charge. So you must be disciplined to lead the rank and file.
”You must not encourage favoritism, you mustn’t destroy the job and the system.”
Earlier, the President of the Mess, DCP Abayomi Shogunle described the Officers’ Mess as a ‘Court of Injustice’, a place where every movement is an offence.
He said it is a must for every police officer to belong to a Mess, adding that there are three levels of Mess, including Officers, Inspectors, and the Rank and file Mess.
Speaking on behalf of the inductees, two ASPs Benedict Okwoche and Lucy Ejuba said their promotions and induction were a big challenge and that they would work hard to maintain the confidence reposed on them.
The 47 inductees were administered their oath of allegiance.