Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) yesterday launched the restructured Rapid Response Squad (RRS), the combat unit of the State Police Command, with a warning to criminals to either drop their acts or leave the state.

Also launched along with the RRS was the Security Trust Fund which, by law is to take care of the funding and maintenance of the police unit on continuous basis.
Speaking at the ceremony, which attracted eminent Nigerians including the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, captains of industry and political leaders among others, Fashola reiterated his call for a modified state police as a means to reduce the rising crime wave in the country.

The governor, who noted that insecurity is an impediment to investments and development of any society, lamented that the rising wave of crime in the state has robbed it of its vibrancy both in terms of investment opportunities and the social life of the people.

According to the governor, “the persistence high rate of crime in the state called for a new thinking as to a new way to combat the malaise,” adding that this is what informed the initiative of the state government to call for partnership of all stakeholders in the effort to make the state safe for all residents.
“It is a national phenomenon, but it has become more acute in Lagos due to the population which is growing at an annual rate of about six per cent,” the governor said.
The new RRS, he said, has been restructured into 34 new sectors and 211 RRS points to make its presence felt across the state.

Fashola said in order to boost the morale of the squad, the government plans to procure 250 additional new vehicles, supply new sets of uniforms for the officers and men, as well as install an ultra modern communication system to link the RRS to all police stations in the state.
He said the state government, in addition to all the other logistics provided for the effectiveness of the RRS, has also secured a Comprehensive Life and Disability Insurance Policy, as well as an improved special duty allowance for the members, adding that that IGP has promised to send an additional 1,600 policemen to join the unit in the current war against crime in the state.

According to Fashola, the target of the government for the funding of the RRS is in the region of N2.5 billion, adding that though the target is yet to be reached, there is indication that more money would be needed to fully implement the project.
“That is why we have launched the Security Trust Fund as a departure from the past when vehicles and other logistics were donated to the police only for them to rot away over the years due to lack of maintenance.”

He commended the Security Committee set up by his administration, especially its chairman and former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Musiliu Smith, part of whose recommendations have resulted in the present initiative.

On the call for a modified state police, or community police, Fashola asked the Federal Government to give the states the free hand in the recruitment of police to serve in their domains as community police.
He said such police recruits from the state would be trained under the Federal Government but funded by the state adding that the Federal Government would still be in control of supplying the uniform.
Listing the advantages of such innovation, the governor said apart from the provision of employment for the teeming unemployed graduates in the country, the initiative would, in no small measure, assist in reducing crime rate in the country to the barest minimum.

He called on the Federal Government to make additional provision for the funding of the police in the 2008 Budget in order to provide for adequate equipment and other logistics for the force.
The governor thanked all those who have so far responded to the call for partnership in equipping the police in the state and urged those who are yet to donate anything to do so.

He warned criminals and all those inclined to committing crimes in the state to desist from the act adding that the government would not fold its arms and watch a few miscreants make life insecure in the state
To the newly launched RRS, the governor advised the members to be civil and protective to law-abiding citizens of the state. “They pay your salaries. You have a job because of them. Do not break the law to enforce the law,” he advised.

Also at the ceremony, a plaque for gallantry and a cheque of N1 million was handed to the families of late Sergeant Elaisha Mbama of MOPOL 20, and Inspector Suru Johnson who lost their lives in encounters with armed robbers in the state.