Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday urged 1,800 law enforcement officers to uphold discipline, integrity and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the charge at a passing-out parade organised by the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) in Magodo, Lagos.

The law enforcement officers completed their 2026 mandatory in-service training.

The governor, represented by the state attorney-general, Lawal Pedro (SAN), said effective law enforcement was essential to good governance, adding that officers must earn public trust through impartiality, responsible conduct and respect for citizens’ rights.

He stated, “Law enforcement is not simply about exercising authority but about earning public trust through responsible conduct, impartiality, and service to the people.”

According to him, officers must be guided by five principles of discipline and integrity: respect for the rule of law, professionalism and competence, respect for the public, and accountability.

“Our vision is to build a Lagos State where laws and regulations are respected, public spaces are managed responsibly, businesses can operate in an orderly environment, and residents can pursue their aspirations in peace and security,” he said.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions responsible for public safety, effective governance and orderly urban management.

“At the same time, law enforcement officers must understand that public cooperation is strengthened when citizens are treated fairly, their concerns are heard, and their rights are respected.

“The true value of today’s ceremony will be demonstrated in the conduct of these officers in the field,” he said.

The governor also urged residents to cooperate with law enforcement officers, stressing that maintaining a safe and orderly society required collective responsibility.

Meanwhile, he commended LETI’s management and instructors for equipping officers with the knowledge and skills required to address contemporary law enforcement challenges.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of LETI, Taiwo Bonnie, said the 1,800 officers successfully completed the institute’s 2026 mandatory in-service training programme.

Ms Bonnie listed the participating agencies as the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Others are the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Community Development Board (CDB), Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

She said the training covered law enforcement, technology, teamwork, inter-agency collaboration, stress management, health and wellness, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first-response skills, physical fitness and field exercises.

“The real test of this training begins outside the classroom,” she said.

Mr Bonnie urged the officers to apply the knowledge acquired during the training and demonstrate fairness, courage, restraint and accountability in their interactions with residents.

She reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to developing a modern and responsive workforce capable of delivering effective law enforcement services.

Also speaking, the Director of Administration of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Lewis Adebola, pledged continued support for LETI’s capacity-building initiatives.

Mr Adebola commended the institute for sustaining its training programmes, adding that personnel from federal security agencies also participated in some of its exercises.

He said LETI conducted monthly training for 100 officers drawn from four security agencies, emphasising the importance of continuous training and retraining in improving operational efficiency.

One of the graduating officers, Adesanyo Olubayo, thanked the governor and LETI management for their support throughout the programme.

Mr Olubayo said the institute provided medical support, including an ambulance, during the training.

He assured the state government that the officers would apply the knowledge acquired to improve law enforcement and service delivery in Lagos State.

(NAN)