Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, has approved the establishment of a Special Desk for Persons with Disability in all the Police Zonal and State Commands across the thirty-six States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

He made this known in commemoration of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disability.

According to him, the decision by the Force leadership to set-up the Disability Desk is informed by the need to ensure the police remains at the fore of contemporary policing practice which also advocates mainstreaming and inclusiveness for Persons With Disability.

Baba observed that the decision follows exhaustive deliberations with the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disability, James Lalu, who led delegates from the Commision to the Force Headquarters on an advocacy visit.

In his words, the Special Desk for Persons with Disability, which will be domiciled at the Police Public Relations Offices in Commands nationwide, would serve as advocacy desk to enable the Force avail the PWD with unfettered access to policing services, promoting the dignity of their person, preventing stigmatisation and stereotyping of PWD, and giving full effect to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (prohibition) Act, 2018.

He equally approved a training program for Police personnel who are to serve as the Disability Desk Officers (DDO) under the coordination of the Force Public Relations Department.

Baba says the training is being organised in partnership with the National Commission for Persons with Disability.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, who appreciated the police chief for the establishment of the Special Desk, expressed his belief that the initiative would go a long way in alleviating the numerous challenges faced by the PWD in the country.

Consequently, the Police boss has directed all the Command Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspector General of Police to supervise the nomination of the DDOs and ensure hitch-free takeoff of the Disability Desk Offices in their respective Commands.

He restates the commitment of the Force to ensuring adequate protection of the rights and privileges of Citizens with any form of disability in the country.