Over six secondary schools within the jurisdiction of Area F Command were selected for the programme. Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner of Police,  Abiodun Alabi, identified a lack of public trust as a major hindrance in community policing.

He said there is no love lost between the people, the public and the police, owing to the negative reputation the police have created for themselves.

Areas of conflict are always around, extra judicial killings, brutality, extortion, unlawful detention, infringement on human rights, dabbling in civil matters, incivility to members of the public and unprofessional conduct while on stop and search duties, he said, were obvious breeders of numerous distrust, which has stigmatised the force.

The CP, who was represented by Mrs. Mary Ayim, an Assistant Commissioner of Police Administration, at the State Command, said poor funding, lack of logistics, lack of training, obsolete infrastructure, equipment, undue influence by the powerful as well as poor remuneration are affecting the police to gain the public’s trust.

Ayim said the ills of the system have produced half-baked officers who were flocking the force.

She advised the public against involvement in any form of confrontation with an armed police officer, saying they should rather report any misdemeanour to the nearest police command for action.