The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba has issued a strong warning to filmmakers to desist from using police uniforms in an unauthorized manner without permit.
It was confirmed by a statement by the The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in Abuja on Sunday.
The statement also decried the illegal sale of police materials and accoutrements by traders in shops, and open stores not approved nor recognized by the police authority.
Baba pledged the commitment of the force to guarantee compliance with the law, adding that the FPRO had been directed to ensure prompt authorisation for all applications seeking usage of police items in movies.
He said such application would be granted in tandem with the extant laws and would portray good values, impress positively on the Nigerian public and be of value to the system.
Baba said the request must provide police officers with modern innovations to actively carry out policing duties and on-screen role models who would influence their lives and career as well as improve security mechanisms in Nigeria.
He also ordered the arrest and prosecution of persons or groups engaging in unauthorised sales of police uniforms and accoutrements.
“I strongly believe that such sanity in movie production, regulation of sales, possession and usage of police uniforms and accoutrements will definitely impact positively on resuscitating moral values.
“It will correct wrong perceptions and ideologies towards commissioning of crimes in our society.
“It is obvious that this step will surely curb the proliferation of Police kits, uniforms and accoutrements and eventually reduce police impostors-induced crimes,” he said. (NAN)
