IGP Clarifies Stance on Recording Police Officers During Duties
The Nigeria Police has clarified that the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, does not have a problem with citizens recording police officers while they are on duty.
In response to allegations that the IGP wanted to ban recording police officers, the force asserted that the IGP knows that recordings serve to protect both the citizen and the police if the recording is done rightfully.
The police added that they do not want recording of police activity to hinder police work.
The topic is now at the forefront of the agenda as smartphone videos have become a significant tool for investigative journalism. In recent cases, videos of police brutality have been used to corroborate complaints, while other videos have shown police carrying out their duties lawfully.
Police spokespersons said that they are more concerned with videos showing police officers using guns as tools of oppression as opposed to recording police work.
Police watchers noted that the IGP’s position conforms to the freedom of speech and freedom of the press as guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution. Police watchers added that the IGP position does not override the rights of the man on the street to record police officers while they are in public places.
For the rank and file police officers, recording police activity could inflame tense standoffs, and at worst expose police methods. The police position on recording citizens has been a sensitive issue. As a result police training schools on police civics are expected to beef up training on coping mechanisms for recorded interactions with citizens.
Civil society groups on police monitoring felt that the police guideline serves as a benchmark from which future police directives will be measured.
The social media space is abuzz with comments dissecting the police position on recording police activity. For now, the real test will be if the changes announced will reduce the number of police-citizen standoffs. If not, the arguments will shift to the contexts of police interference with recording devices, while the police will accuse citizens of obstructing justice in the discharge of their duties.
