250 Police officers graduate in Human Rights Course. By patience Ogbo Two hundred and fifty police officers today earned certificates in Human Rights Studies . The officers were among about 297 officers who participated in the Course 16 training programme organised by the Crime Victims Foundation in conjunction with the Lagos State police Command. The Course started from Febuary 10th 2013 and ended April 25th. The Acting Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos Mamman Tsafe urged members of the public to support the police in the fight against rights abuse. He said "Nigeria police is undergoing many changes and we are transforming to face the changes. The captain of the ship,the IGP Mohammed Abubakar is a great promoter of Human Rights and that is why he has given the necessary support for this training to continue. Human Rights is his personal commitment to transform the Police Force. We expect these officers to imbibe what they have learnt and let it benefit the citizens". Mrs Gloria Egbuji,the Executive Director of Crime Victims Foundation said the training is beneficial to the police and the citizens. She said " The benefit of the training cannot be overemphasized as all the Divisions in Lagos State today have got at least 15 trained Human Rights officers. The awareness is massively created and the public are begining to get the benefits as we are also training them to demand for their rights from the police". Mrs Egbuji said. A former commissioner of police,Mr. Frank Odita delivered the graduation Lecture titled "Re-positioning the Human Rights Culture Through Motivators,Models and Mentors". Mr. Odita while charging the officers to imbibe what they have learnt said " The police uniform is not a symbol of authority but of service to humanity. The first step to Human Rights is giving not taking from people you are meant to protect. The change must begin with the police slogan"The Police Is Your Friend". You do not extort from your friend,harrass or maim your friend. You don't dehumanise your friend. Human Rights law expects you to protect the rights of others and in doing that ,you are also protecting your own rights. That rights expects you to have a mentor that you can learn from. A policeman should be a jack of all trade and master of all. This training is to make you agents of change and to train your subordinates". The Course participants were exposed to a wide range of Human Rights topics such as,human rights definitions and source,code of conduct for law enforcement,Alternative Dispute Resolutions,Child rights laws,domestic violence,International Humanitarian laws. Other areas the course focused on include Police Powers,communication skills,judge rule,marriage act and the use of firearms. Awards and certificates were presented to the officers and the best graduating students. SP. Iyunade M. Lasisi the Divisional Police Officer,Bode Thomas Division came top as the Best Graduating Officer. Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria. IMG-20130114