The Police Commissioner in Imo State, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, has barred officers and men of the Police Command from checking the phones, laptops, palmtops and permits for tinted glasses belonging to the general public.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, CSP Mike Abattam, “the order became necessary due to series of complaints received from members of the public, especially from the youth, alleging indiscriminate harassment and illegal checking of their phones, palm tops, laptops and demand of tinted glass permits on the road, by police officers, thereby causing untold hardships to them and in the process, embarrassing the Command.”
He said that CP Barde frowned at what he called the unwholesome negative attitude exhibited by policemen, and warned in strong terms, that all police officers on patrols/stop and search duties and in the habit of harassing youths and checking their phones, palmtops, laptops and demanding for tinted glass permit should stop such act forthwith.
“In the same vein, he advised the youths to ensure that, they respect the rule of law and desist from using black cellophane to create artificial tinted on the glasses of their vehicles but that those with factory fitted tinted glasses are free to use them without permit. He also said that those in the habit of using spy number plate, covering their car number plates or replaced same with designed logos of the make of their vehicles should desist from such illegal act as, anyone caught, his/her vehicle will be impounded and the owner will be made to face the full wrath of the law”, he further stated.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Tactical Teams Commanders of the various units in the Command to ensure their subordinates are warned against indulging in these practices as any police officer found complicit, will be made to face disciplinary actions.
He directed that officers and men should be professional and uphold international best practices and exercise their duty to the general public devoid of any form of victimisation.
