The Lagos State Govern
ment on Monday said it would soon deploy squad cars for the use of police across various formations in the state.
Governor Babatunde Fashola made the disclosure while handing over an ICT Resource Centre at
Area “H“ Police Command in Ogudu area of the state.
The Tide reports that the centre was donated by the state government to enhance the operational efficiency of the police force across the state.
Fashola said that the squad cars were already being built in Japan, and when deployed, they would assist police personnel to respond to crimes more efficiently.
“We are at the point where we are planning squad cars for each police station, so that police officers can go in pairs with on-board computers and re-inforced shock absorbers.
“So, apart from the Hilux Vans that we have provided for the state‘s Rapid Response Squad (RRS), police officers will have dedicated squad cars.
“With this in place, they can go out in pairs and teams, the way it is done in advanced countries,“ he said.
Fashola said that the donation of the ICT centre was to help the force to improve its data management system, especially as it concerned keeping records of vehicle exhibits.
The governor said the system of littering police stations with vehicle exhibits in the course of investigation was an eye-sore, adding that the centre would eliminate keeping of vehicles at stations.
“What we have now is that many of our police stations are littered with vehicles, especially those that have to do with traffic offences.
“So, what does that system do? It diminishes the value of the vehicle to the owner. By the time the case is finished, the vehicle would have severely diminished in value, and we say we can eliminate this problem.
“When there is an accident all that is needed is for the vehicle to be brought to the station, take the photographs from all angles and release the vehicle to the owner on bond.
“And the owner is given the obligation of producing the vehicle anytime it is needed in court.
“So, all the records will be stored on the server and the system that we have provided today, that is the problem we want to solve,“ he said.
Fashola urged the police to take ownership of the centre and use it to enhance their capacity to fight crime.
Earlier, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, thanked Fashola for his consistent support for the state police command.
He said that the various forms of support had not only enhanced the operational capacity of the force, but also made the state safer.
“We thank you. The ICT centre is first in the country, and we assure you that it will be put to use to help achieve our dream of a crime- free Lagos,“ he said.