The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) on Thursday began a mandatory training exercise for about 5,000 law enforcement officers in the State to enhance professionalism, efficiency, and public service delivery within the state’s law enforcement landscape.
The training programme, which includes officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Central Business District (CBD), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LSNC), and Vehicle Inspection Services, will last for the next six weeks at Ikeja Grammar School, Bolade, Oshodi.
Addressing the first batch of trainees comprising 450 participants, the CEO and Head of LETI, Mrs. Abiola Adeyinka emphasised the importance of continuous professional development for law enforcement officers.
According to her, the topics that the trainees would be exposed to include Human Rights and Law Enforcement, Traffic Management and Control, Public Order Management, Conflict Resolution and De-escalation, Modern Policing Techniques, Community Engagement, and Public Relations/Interpersonal Relations.
The Head of the Institute further elaborated on the state’s commitment to maintaining high standards, noting that the comprehensive curriculum was designed to equip officers with the tools needed to meet the evolving demands of their roles.
Mrs. Adeyinka stressed the importance of continual professional development for law officers, maintaining that the training programme is a testament to the commitment of LETI towards ensuring that the various law enforcement officers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively serve and protect the residents of Lagos State.
“This training programme is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that our officers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively serve and protect the citizens of Lagos State. We are confident that this training will significantly enhance their professionalism and contribute to a safer and more secure environment for all”, she added.
The CEO, therefore, implored the various law enforcement officers participating in the programme to shun uncivil acts capable of bringing the image of the state government into disrepute before Lagos residents and beyond.
While saying that the State government expects improved service delivery and professionalism from the participants after the mandatory training programme, the Head of the Training Institute stated that any officer found wanting in his or her beat will be adequately punished.
She underscored the present administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards inefficiency and misconduct, reinforcing the expectation that all officers adhere to the highest standards of accountability and integrity.
Also speaking, the Commandant of the Institute, Oluyemi Ebiti affirmed that the State Government is recording improvement in the conduct and comportment of law enforcement officers across different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the State.
He attributed the improvement to periodic monitoring of the activities of the officers at their various duty posts and the annual mandatory training programme by the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute.
According to him, the officers now carry out their duties with the consciousness of a high level of responsibility and responsiveness in view of the disciplinary measures in place for erring officers.
“As I speak to you, our monitoring of the activities of these officers is top-notch. So many have been disciplined according to the Public Service Rules based on the reports from our monitoring exercise, and this has made these officers more committed to their duties”, he stated.
Participants at the training programme expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to enhance their skills and pledged to apply their newfound knowledge diligently in their respective roles.
The State Government’s focus on continuous professional development aims to create a more responsive and capable public service workforce, ultimately benefiting the citizens through better service delivery.
It should be noted that the six-week training programme will continue at Ikeja Senior Grammar School, Bolade, Oshodi, with different batches facilitated by experienced and seasoned trainers from both within and outside the law enforcement sector.