The Osun State Police Command said the Community Policing Constabulary Scheme of the Nigerian Police is a voluntary service.
According to Daily Post, the state Police Commissioner, Olawale Olokode, said this in a statement in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the command, Yemisi Opalola.
He said it is an initiative Federal Government initiative to improve security at the grassroots, adding that the scheme was for individuals with prior paid employment who desire to spend their spare time assisting the police in its tasks within their communities.
Punch Metro reported that early on Tuesday, some members of the scheme protested the non-payment of their 18 months-old unpaid stipends in Osogbo.
The protesting members of the Community Policing Constabulary Scheme in Osun started the protest from the popular Oke-Fia roundabout through Alekuwodo to Olaiya junction.
According to the statement, “The scheme is to promote community partnership in crime control via the presence of respected members of the public, with sources of livelihood, partnering with the Force under the scheme to render voluntary service for better and improved policing within their communities.
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Olawale Olokode, psc, still re-emphasizes the fact that the scheme is voluntary and no payments were agreed with the individuals under the scheme, nor were paid terms of appointment discussed prior to its commencement.
“Notwithstanding, the State government, or local government where they are serving may decide to give stipends to the members of the special Constabularies recruited by them for this assignment in their State, which does not interfere or change the constitution of the scheme.”
The statement also disclosed that the Osun Commissioner of Police held a meeting with members of the scheme later on Tuesday where he outlined to them that there was no basis for their action of embarking on the street protest for non-payment of salaries because it was not part of the agreement in Principle.
“They appreciated the CP for his fatherly roles and they all promised to abide by the rules of engagement,” the statement concluded.
