Police Chief Cautions Officers Against Misuse of Power

The Police Commissioner in Cross River State, Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, on Friday warned officers not to unlawfully detain people or misuse their powers. He also advised against using police resources to settle civil disputes.

Mr Ordue shared this warning during surprise visits to the State Housing, Federal Housing, and Ikpa Omin police stations in Calabar. This was part of his Management by Walking About initiative.

“The police must not be used as an instrument of intimidation, harassment or debt recovery, particularly in matters involving contractual disagreements, land disputes, and other civil transactions,” he said.

He told officers to avoid making civil disputes into criminal cases. Officers should use good judgment to tell the difference between civil issues and real criminal cases.

According to Mr Ordue, only cases that show criminal elements should go through criminal investigations as the law requires.

During his visits, the police commissioner checked detention cells, security setups, and other facilities. He also looked at how ready the divisions were, their administration, and whether they followed police procedures.

He urged the officers in charge to improve internal supervision, respect citizens' rights, and keep proper records when making arrests, investigations, and detentions.

Mr Ordue emphasized that professionalism, accountability, and respect for the rule of law are key standards for police work.

He explained that the Management by Walking About initiative aims to connect top leadership with what happens in the field. This helps him engage with officers directly and assess what goes on in the divisions.

The police chief assured residents that the command is dedicated to protecting lives and property. He is committed to addressing security issues and ensuring policing is professional, responsive, and accountable.

He also asked the public to help the police by providing timely and reliable information to boost crime prevention and security efforts.