Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE newly appointed 25th Commissioner of Police for Delta State, CP Samuel Etaifo Erale, has officially assumed office with a firm commitment to strengthening security architecture across the state and restoring public confidence in the police force.
Addressing journalists at his inaugural press briefing in Asaba on Tuesday, CP Erale outlined an ambitious agenda focused on discipline, community policing, enhanced inter-agency synergy, and intelligence-led crime fighting.
“I am fully aware of the responsibility that comes with this office,” CP Erale stated. “The safety of lives and property in Delta State is our priority, and I am committed to doing everything within the law to ensure that residents and visitors to the state feel safe in their homes, workplaces, communities and places of interest.”
The Commissioner acknowledged Delta State’s strategic importance as one of the country’s economic hubs and a critical part of the Niger Delta sub-region, emphasising the need for a “strong and effective security architecture to support national growth, development, and stability.”
Discipline and Professionalism at the Forefront
CP Erale declared zero tolerance for corruption, extortion, and ethical misconduct, promising to enforce strict adherence to police regulations and the rule of law. He announced plans to reward officers who demonstrate integrity and exceptional service while ensuring respect for human rights remains paramount.
Community Policing and Stakeholder Engagement
The new Commissioner stressed the importance of strengthening police-community partnerships through engagement with traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, women’s groups, and religious bodies. He called for community-based intelligence gathering and early reporting of suspicious activities, promising to make the police “more accessible and responsive to the peculiar security needs of each community.”
Enhanced Synergy and Crime Fighting Strategy
CP Erale revealed plans to establish stronger operational cooperation with sister security agencies, promoting joint operations, intelligence sharing, coordinated patrols, and rapid response to emerging threats.
His crime-fighting strategy includes intensifying operations against kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, cybercrime, violent crime, and oil-related crimes. Personnel and resources will be deployed based on crime trends and identified hotspots across the state.
Rebooting Crime Fighting Methodology
In a significant shift, the Commissioner announced a comprehensive review of existing operational strategies, moving largely from reactive policing to proactive, intelligence-driven, and technology-enabled crime prevention.
“We will build forward, not backwards, consolidating gains while confronting emerging threats with renewed energy and clarity,” he declared.
Appeal to the Public and Media
CP Erale appealed to the people of Delta State to support the police by providing useful, timely, and credible information, urging: “If you see something, say something.”
He thanked the media for their role in informing the public and expressed his desire for a “frank working relationship” with journalists. He also acknowledged the efforts of his predecessor, CP Yemi John Oyeniyi, and the management team.
To officers and men of the Command, the Commissioner issued a clear directive: “The expectations are clear. We must all align with the mission statement and key agenda of the command under my leadership.”
