The Katsina State Police command has made a commitment to introduce at least five trauma desk officers across the state who will serve as a point of contact for victims of insecurity for both law enforcement agents and the public by providing referrals for psychological counselling and other support services.
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Bello Shehu made the commitment during an interactive session organised by CLEEN Foundation in Katsina on Friday.
The PUNCH learnt that the aim for the trauma desk officers was to ensure that victims of insecurity who undergo trauma are neither ignored nor left untreated, particularly for those on the frontlines of law enforcement.
CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Department Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Germany among others, in a renewed effort to foster trust between security forces and citizens, organised a 5-day workshop on community engagement on police reforms and capacity development on trauma healing aimed at improving the relationship between the Police and the public.
The five-day engagement meeting drew participants from the media, civil society organisations, police, community and religious leaders in Katsina.
He said, ‘That will be a wonderful idea and that will be done. The trauma desk officers will be created as suggested. And on the issue of bail, report any officers who ask for money before bail to us. This is because bail is free’.
Participants also drew the attention of CP Shehu to the amended law that mandates the police to send the original case file to the Ministry of Justice just as they pleaded to the CP to send the case file as soon as the investigation is concluded for speedy passage.
Responding, CP Bello Shehu, however, said, ‘at times especially issues that have to do with rape cases were due to the fact that medical reports among others contributed to the delay. If not, we are actually doing our best in other cases by sending case files timely’.
Prof. Alemika Etanbi, a facilitator and board member of the CLEEN Foundation, said the dual-purpose workshop was focused on strengthening police-community relations and addressing the psychological effects of insecurity on both officers and civilians.
‘This is not just another meeting. It is part of a broader, multi-state initiative that includes sustainable structures for engagement between civil society organisations and the police, far beyond the traditional Police Community Relations Committee’, Etanbi emphasised.
According to Etanbi, the workshop is divided into two key areas. The first targets civil society groups, working to build a foundation for improved dialogue and cooperation with law enforcement.
The second was designed specifically for police officers, offering training on how to recognise trauma symptoms in themselves and others, as well as how to respond appropriately, especially in the context of rising violence and insecurity in various communities.
‘The ultimate goal is improved policing, one in which officers and the public work together to ensure safer communities. We want a system where the public complies with the law, and the police, in turn, respect and protect citizens’ rights’, he said.
He also stressed that public cooperation is vital to successful law enforcement, and equally important is the need for police officers to uphold professional standards and human rights.
‘If the public and the police don’t work together, we all suffer. Security fails, and trust is lost’, he warned.
Also speaking, a Senior Training Advisor Police Reform UNDP, Adewale Ajadi opined that the gathering will create a platform for the police and community to engage.
‘We expect regular meetings between the Police and community and we are going to establish a trauma desk in the Police and in the specialist hospitals for police who are traumatised. UNDP will maintain the units and will also see what other support we can give but we will work together with the police and others for sustenance’.
The engagement marks a bold step toward bridging the gap between law enforcement and the people they serve, and it reaffirms CLEEN Foundation and partners’ long-standing commitment to promoting public safety, accountability, and justice in Nigeria.
