Officers from seven state agencies complete mandatory training as government stresses accountability, public trust and respect for citizens’ rights.
By Heapnews
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged 1,800 law enforcement officers to uphold professionalism, respect citizens’ rights and remain accountable in the discharge of their duties.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, gave the charge on Thursday at the passing-out parade of officers who completed the 2026 mandatory in-service training programme organised by the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI).
“Law enforcement is not simply about exercising authority but about earning public trust through responsible conduct, impartiality, and service to the people,” the governor said.
He urged the officers to demonstrate discipline, integrity, competence and respect for the rule of law, adding that their conduct in the field would determine the value of the training.
Sanwo-Olu also called on residents to cooperate with enforcement agencies, saying public safety and orderly management of the state required collective effort.
He said citizens were more likely to cooperate with officers who treated them fairly, listened to their concerns and respected their rights.
The officers were drawn from seven agencies: the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Community Development Board (CBD), Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
LETI Chief Executive Officer Taiwo Bonnie said the programme covered law enforcement, technology, teamwork, inter-agency collaboration, stress management, health and wellness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first-response skills, physical fitness and field exercises.
She said the training was designed to improve officers’ ability to respond to operational challenges and deliver public services effectively.
“The real test of this training begins outside the classroom,” Bonnie said, urging the graduates to exercise courage and restraint while protecting the dignity of residents.
She added that the institute would continue to develop a workforce equipped to meet the demands of modern law enforcement.
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) also pledged continued support for the institute’s capacity-building programmes.
Lewis Adebola, the fund’s director of administration, said it remained committed to initiatives aimed at improving the performance of law enforcement personnel.
He said LETI also conducted monthly training for 100 officers drawn from four security agencies, underscoring the need for continuous professional development.
At the ceremony, Adio Moses called for opportunities for LETI personnel to pursue further education, saying additional qualifications could strengthen their professional knowledge and career prospects.
He cited educational programmes introduced for local government workers and urged the institute to consider similar opportunities for its personnel.
One of the graduating officers, Adesanyo Olubayo, thanked the state government and LETI management for their support during the training, including the provision of an ambulance and other medical services.
He pledged that the graduates would apply the knowledge acquired to improve their service to Lagos State.