The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, on Tuesday graced the opening ceremony of a specialised training programme on Integrated Mental Health, Trauma-Informed Care and Emergency Response, organised by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for officers and men of the command.
The training, according to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, is aimed at strengthening the psychological resilience, emotional intelligence and emergency response capacity of police personnel in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
CP Iyamah commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his sustained commitment to capacity building and welfare-driven interventions within the Nigeria Police Force. He noted that the training was timely and strategic, given the complex security challenges confronting police officers, which often expose them to traumatic experiences.
Emphasising the importance of mental wellbeing, the police commissioner stated that mental health should not be viewed as a weakness but as a core strength that underpins effective policing. “Mental health is the foundation upon which we build our lives, our relationships and our dreams,” he said.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the programme, apply the knowledge gained in their daily operations and serve as peer resource persons within the command. According to him, officers who are mentally sound and emotionally balanced are better positioned to serve the public with professionalism, empathy and restraint.
CP Iyamah further assured that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to personnel development, welfare and best practices in policing, in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police.