The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Mr Chris Ezike, says it will not approve one campaign venue for two or more political parties in a day to check possible confrontations.
The commissioner gave the directive on Monday during his maiden official meeting with officers of the command held at the Officers’ Mess, Umuahia.
Ezike, who assumed office in Abia last Monday, said that as the electioneering for the 2019 polls began, there was need to strictly regulate the activities of political parties and their candidates to avoid clashes.
He said that the measure would help to check open confrontation among party members and supporters during rallies.
“No two parties or groups would be allowed to campaign in one venue. We must have recourse to public order act to regulate public assemblies, meetings and gatherings,” he said.
The commissioner promised that the command would provide a level playing field for all the political parties and candidates before and during elections.
Ezike said that frantic effort would be made to ensure peace and tranquility during the campaigns, saying that violence of any sort would not be acceptable.
He expressed concern that the number of police personnel of merely 4,600 was inadequate to effectively police the state.
“This explains why we should adopt community policing,” he said, adding that the approach entailed police visibility and availability with communities.
The police boss said: “We have less than 4,600 men which are not enough. It is obvious that the number cannot do the work.
“We must adopt community policing principle of visibility and availability. Your telephone numbers should be known to the people you police.
“Second is partnership. Their fundamental rights must be respected. You must not extort money from them. If you extort them you will not command their respect,” he said.
The police commissioner also spoke on the need for officers to adopt intelligence gathering in the task of crime prevention and drug control.
He also urged the officers to adopt “accountability policing” in monitoring the conduct and behavior of men of the force, in line with police rules and regulations.
Ezike underscored the need for officers and men of the command to intensify surveillance and security on highways, especially during the Yuletide.
He said that efforts should be intensified to ensure a crime-free celebration.
The new commissioner charged officers and men to respect constituted authorities and strictly obey circulars and directives of the force and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.
The meeting was attended by Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Departments of the command.