The Police  Community Relations Committee, PCRC, in Rivers State has described as untrue the insinuation and claims of massive  indiscipline, brutality and human rights abuse in Rivers State Police Command under the  leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.

The Chairman of PCRC in Rivers State, Mr Voke  Emore who was responding to  claims made by  some persons said   the assertion is far from reality. 

The Rivers PCRC helmsman maintained that contrary to the claims and insinuation of massive indiscipline and rights  violations, CP Adeloju have addressed human rights abuses by few erring officers squarely and punitive measures  carried out against officers found  culpable in course of investigation.

He cited the removal of DPO of Agbali park by the CP some months ago whom officers under his watch were said to have fired tear gas against journalists  and protesters few months ago as a typical example of the CP Adepoju's zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct.

"The PCRC has equally brought  cases of human rights infraction  to the CP and disciplinary actions were taken against  the erring officers" Mr Emore said.

Mr Emore argued that while unprofessional  conduct by employees cannot be ruled out in any profession including  the Nigeria Police Force, the response  and attention given to the issue by the authority of such organizations should also be  taken into account. 

The Rivers PCRC Chairman  maintained that CP Adepoju and Rivers Police Command should be  commended for responding swiftly to allegations of human rights abuses, ensuring prompt arrest of accused officers and instituting unbiased investigation.

He disclosed that the Rivers CP in his commitment to  uphold rights of citizens recently partnered with Rivers PCRC, FIDA to re-train gender based desk officers across various divisions, tactical units and other police formations in the state to compliment the 6 months training exercise already being carried out by the Rivers State Police Command and regular lectures on human rights at the Division,Area Command and State  levels. 

The PCRC  Chairman urged members of the public who encounter any human rights violations by officers to report to the Police authority, as prompt attention will be given to such complaint. 

The Rivers PCRC Command reaffirmed the believe  of the  organization on CP Adepoju and his personnel in ensuring a crime free state.