By Victoria Yakubu
The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Ordue, has directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to make their official phone numbers available to residents to improve communication and ensure prompt responses to security threats.
Ordue gave the directive at the Cross River State Police Command’s end-of-month strategic officers’ meeting held on Wednesday, October 28, in Calabar.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eitokpah Akata, the Commissioner urged Area Commanders, DPOs and heads of departments to strengthen community engagement and encourage residents to report crimes, suspicious activities and emerging security threats promptly.
The meeting, held at the Police Officers’ Mess on Moore Road, Calabar, focused on improving communication between the police and members of the public.
Ordue said the directive aligned with the community-oriented policing initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which is being implemented across police commands and divisions.
He explained that making officers’ contact details accessible would enable residents to share useful information, strengthen public confidence and facilitate quicker responses to security incidents.
To ensure compliance, the commissioner directed Area Commanders and DPOs to publicise their official phone numbers through community meetings, police station noticeboards, town unions, market associations, engagements with community leaders and other public events.
He also instructed the officers to ensure the contact details remained current and accessible to residents.
The Command said compliance would be monitored through routine supervision to ensure the directive translated into practical benefits for communities.
It urged residents to cooperate with the police and use the appropriate channels to report security concerns, suspicious activities and other information that could assist crime prevention.
The Command reiterated its commitment to accessible and responsive policing, stressing the importance of collaboration between officers and residents in promoting safety across Cross River State.
