It Is Legal To Record Police Officers While On Duty – AIG Kamaldeen
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) for Zone 6, Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola has said recording a police officer while he is on duty is legal and within a citizen’s rights; it is not a crime.
AIG Okulola discloses this piece of information at the Cross River State Police Command Headquarters on Thursday at Diamond Hill, Calabar, during a familiarisation visit.
He shattered the hitherto held position that filming police officers while they are on duty constitutes a crime, even as he also emphasized that every Nigerian has the legal right to film any police officers who are on duty.
Police personnel were advised by the AIG not to prevent bystanders from filming them while they performed their duties, noting that this was not in any way illegal.
Instead of pestering the people they are tasked with protecting, he urged officers to be more kind and sympathetic toward their neighbours and fellow citizens.
“We must be kind and approachable to the general population; when money is needed, turning to a tyrant and persecuting innocent persons must end. You must treat people fairly since you are there for them.
“Without the support of the community, we cannot succeed, so you must do your job and be friendly to all parties in any matter you are handling, ” he said.
“Let the fear of God be your watchword”, he further counselled.
The 30th AIG of Zone 6, Calabar, further cautioned officers against mingling with politicians and then becoming politically active while reiterating that they must maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discipline while performing their responsibilities.
In order to be on the right side of the law and perform their jobs during the next forthcoming general elections in 2023, he also advised them to read the Electoral Law in order to comprehend their tasks and modus operandi as prescribed by the law.
He pledged ongoing efforts to advance the zone while also promising to improve the welfare of the officers and men, which he described as a slow process that will soon become a reality.
