The Nigeria Police Force says the Community Policing Constabulary Scheme commenced by the Federal Government is not paid employment but a voluntary service.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

He said the clarification followed protest by Community Policing Constables in Ilorin, Kwara, over the purported non- payment of salaries.

“The Nigeria Police wishes to state unequivocally that the Community Policing Constabulary Scheme of the Force is purely a voluntary service commenced by the Federal Government.

“The idea is to train and incorporate individuals with prior paid employment who desire to spend their spare time assisting the police in its simple police tasks within their various communities.

“It therefore, came as a rude shock that members of the scheme were protesting non-payment of salaries in Kwara against the purpose and rule of engagement of the scheme to promote community partnership,” he said.

Adejobi added that the partnership was targeted at crime control via the presence of respected members of the public, with a source of livelihood, partnering with the Force to render voluntary service.

According to him, the scheme has clearly delineated the roles of the Constabulary, who are not direct employees or personnel of the Police, but of their respective communities.

He explained that their roles were to assist the police in crime detection and prevention, conflict resolution, intelligence gathering and dissemination to local Police Commanders and maintenance of law and order.

Adejobi said the scheme was also to enhance deployment to complement conventional police in patrolling public spaces, and advising the public on safety, crime prevention and security.

He added that their task was also to assist in dealing with minor offences and social vices, working with relevant stakeholders on crime control and traffic management as well as school safety duties.