operational guidelines for voluntary policing groups ... · operational guidelines for voluntary...

Operational guidelines for Voluntary Policing Groups

Guidelines for the

Voluntary Policing Sector

(Vigilante Groups)

Improving service delivery, accountability and management


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Voluntary Policing Guidelines for Vigilante Groups

s/n Outline Page

1. Introduction 1

2. A Partnership that works -

Our responsibilities to others

and the community

3

3. Our Structure – the way we

are organised

5

4. Code of Conduct 10

5. Disciplinary Procedures for

code of conduct violations

15

6. Guideline for Operations 18

7. Training and development 21

8. Performance, Monitoring

and Evaluation

22

9. Promotion, Reward and

welfare

24

10. Field Operations 25

11. Finance and Administration 28

12. Appendixes – Sample

Operational forms

33


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1. Introduction

This document intends to provide instruction and rules that we must live by in

playing our role as a group committed to keeping our communities free of

crime and encourage members of the community to live in harmony. This is

also to remind us that the power we have to operate and the trust and

confidence we enjoy comes from members of the community, community

leaders and the Police, as long as we encourage members of the community

to come together to look after the each other and make the community safe

from crime and anything that disturbs the peace of members of the

community.

As a group we are made up of many people of different age, tribe, sex,

educational background, work and religion, but we are united by one common

goal of improving peace and security in our community. This document

contains the rules that will guide behaviour for members of the group

especially as it involves how we relate with other members of the community,

members of the vigilante group and the Nigerian Police who we support in

preventing crime.

In this document also you will find a description of how activities of the

vigilante will be carried out, the responsibility of officials of the group, what

rights and powers they have in serving as leaders of the group and what

members should expect from the group

Members and leaders of the group are supposed to read this document and

refer to it so that we remain responsible and law abiding and eliminate

anything that can lead to conflict and in-fighting among members of the

group. We hope that this document will keep us focused on how we respond

to the security and safety needs of the community, and when it does not, the

leadership of the vigilante group and the leadership of the community shall

agree to make changes to this document so that it continues to serve the

group and the community well


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2. A Partnership that works

Crime Prevention is a Collective Responsibility

The task of crime prevention and maintaining peace in our community is a

community effort. We must agree to unite, to work together as one family in

ensuring that our communities are safe and secure.

This section will help us to understand how we can relate with the various

persons and groups in the community whose authority and support we enjoy

to make our work effective.

For us to continue to

earn their trust,

respect and support

we must meet the

following minimum

expectations as we

maintain peace and

prevent crime in the

community


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2.1. Our Responsibility toward Local Authorities [CDAs ,traditional leaders,

religious leaders, / Landlord association, women and youth groups]

Our local authorities are regarded as “government at the grassroots” and they

have power to exercise control over what happens within our community,

including the activities of the vigilante. In fact the powers we have to function,

we get from this group. Since this is so, we must assist them to:

1. Organise and carry out crime prevention activities that ensure that the

community is safe , secure and free of conflict that threaten life and peace

of its members

2. Define what the community would do in response to threats to community

peace and safety (as we do this, we must get the approval of the local

authorities before implementation by the vigilante is possible)

3. Set security rules and restrictions and suggest other preventive measures

that will assist members to protect themselves against the threat of crime

4. Generate information about the security and public safety issues affecting

the community

2.2. Our Responsibility toward the Police Authority

The vigilante group serves the community interest in crime prevention and

maintaining peace. The Nigerian Police needs our support and cooperation in

providing useful information about crime, crime in progress, suspicious

activities and crime suspects among other things. The vigilante and the

community equally need the Police to support their effort of eliminating crime

and any threat to life and peace in the community.

Therefore, our primary responsibilities to the Police should be to:

1. Timely report of suspicious activities and crimes in progress

2. Improve relationship between Police and the community as it concerns law

enforcement

3. Participate in joint patrol with Police to support crime prevention efforts

4. Contribute to maintaining community peace


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5. Provide the Police with relevant information that will enhance their

understanding of how to effectively Police the community

6. Assist the Police to carry out any other lawful activities in maintaining law

and order

2.3. Responsibility towards Community members

We are first and foremost members of the community before we became

members of the vigilante. Our interest is to promote safety and the bond of

friendship among members of the community and this is only possible when

peace and safety is guaranteed. With this in mind, our responsibility to the

community will be to:

1. To protect life and property by preventing crime and violence from

occurring

2. Contribute to maintaining peace in the community

3. To encourage harmony and peaceful coexistence within the community

4. To alert and educate members of potential crime threats and behaviour

that induce crime

5. Raise community interest and participation in crime prevention

6. Provide information that will enable the government provide support in

providing improvements that address security concerns of the community

7. Provide information that will enable the victims of crime to get justice in

matters being determined by the Police

3. Our Structure

The structure below explains how the vigilante is organised and how it relates

with the community and it leaders particularly in getting approval for its

actions and reporting on how it carries out its activities. It further explains the

rights and distribution of responsibility and authority of the officers of the

vigilante. In doing so, we hope that this explanation will improve the


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understanding of roles, responsibilities and powers of each member that are

part of the leadership team of the vigilante.

The Community Accountability Forum (CAF)

Members of this forum shall be representatives of the following:

Traditional rulers or elders

CDA chairman

Divisional Police Officer

Religious leaders

Women group

Youth group

Heads of ethnic groups

Traders association

Landlords

1. The Community Accountability Forum (CAF) will oversee and approve the

activities of the vigilante group (the group). The CAF shall approve all

Community

Accountability Forum

Vigilante

Chairman

Operations Finance Admin

CDA


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annual programmes, plans and special project fundraising request raised by

the group

2. The CAF shall ratify all decisions relating to recruitment carried out by the

group

3. The CAF shall hear all matters of public complaint issues against the

leadership and members of the vigilante

4. The CAF shall entertain feedback from members of the community of the

performance of the vigilante and any pending concerns about security

The CDA

The office of the CDA plays a critical role as intermediary between the

government –local and state government- and the community in the provision

of social services that improve the quality and safety of life. They are

responsible for the administration of the community and hence will oversee or

supervise the chairman of the vigilante on all administrative issues. To this

end:

1. The CDA will receive and approve all operational and financial plans of the

vigilante

2. They will monitor all special projects embarked on by the vigilante to

ensure they align with security objectives of the community

3. They will receive and review periodic reports of the activities of the

vigilante

4. Where a secretariat does not exist for the Vigilante, the CDA shall provide a

secretariat support that will hold an office space where they can meet and

storage for admin and operational records and operational materials

5. The CDA shall consider all new recruitment and support the process

6. The CDA will lend support to all public security education initiative and

directives as well public request for funds to support the vigilante’s work


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The Vigilante Chairman

1. The chairman serves as the leader of the group. He will give direction for

the implementation of all its activities within the community

2. The chairman shall approve all decisions of the group. The chairman often

works closely with the heads of Admin, finance and operations (the

management team)to manage the affairs of the group

3. The chairman shall brief the Community accountability forum (CAF) on

periodic performance of the vigilante and plans for the future. The

performance briefing should include but will not be limited to:

The number of reported crime and conflict incidences – burglary, armed

robbery, theft, kidnapping, rape, etc.

What time of the day, the weapons used , and how the crime or

offence was committed

Number and nature of casualty or loss recorded – e.g. deaths, injuries,

property loss etc.

Number of threats that were resolved, arrests made and where they

occurred

The environmental improvements that assist prevention efforts

Other security activities carried out- e.g. security education,

community development etc.

General security observations

Challenges of the vigilante

Recommendation of preventive actions going forward

The Head of Operations

1. The head of operations will coordinate the security operations of the group

and will make sure that all plans are implemented effectively.

2. The head of operation will work closely with the Police in providing

operatives for joint patrol operations and providing background

information about the community and crime suspects to Police

3. The head of operation will work with other members of the operations unit

(area coordinators, coordinators and street supervisors) to implement


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agreed operations plan. This will also include holding regular weekly

security meeting to update and revise actions for crime prevention

4. The head of operations will assign responsibilities and patrol duty postings

to members of the operations unit

5. The operations unit will coordinate all community based crime

consciousness and safety awareness program for the purpose of educating

members of the community and making them alert to threats

6. The head of operations will ensure that daily record of patrol activities

are kept which will include among other things suspicious activities and

actual crime incidences

Finance/ Head of Finance

The vigilante needs money to carry its work of crime prevention; it will need

money to buy patrol tools such as torches, raincoat, baton, recharge card for

making urgent/ distress calls, ID card printing, training of members on crime

prevention, stationery, transport, etc. The vigilante depends on contribution

from people who live in the community, organisations and sometimes

government to raise money to support its work. The finance unit must

maintain community trust by ensuring all its records of money it receives and

what it spends is accurate all the time. In addition, the finance unit and the

head of finance will carry out the following responsibility:

1. The finance unit handles all matters relating to money

2. They will create, maintain and track proper record of every money spent by

the group

3. They will advise the chairman and inform the group on how much money

the vigilante has in its purse and how to use the money so that the group

can achieve more results in making the community peaceful and free of

crime

4. They will handle all requests for money that is approved by the

management of the vigilante


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5. They will prepare budget for the group based on their agreed plans and

strategies

6. They will prepare report from the financial records and ensure that there is

no fraud or nothing brings shame or lack of trust to the vigilante

Admin / head of Admin

This is the engine room of the vigilante; they make the vigilante work like an

organisation. They listen to every decision made and try to ensure everyone is

doing their own share of the work that has been agreed to. Just as operation is

to security patrol, so is the admin to the vigilante. Some of the functions of

the Admin unit include:

1. The administration unit manages the secretariat function of the group

2. They are responsible for providing storage for records of documents and

materials.

3. They manage the resources or materials the vigilante use for operations

and they provide information and advice management on how the

resources and materials are used; who they give it to, what is left and what

they need

4. They are responsible for purchases of operational materials and tools on

behalf of the vigilante.

5. The head of admin will work closely with the operations unit to make plans

for hosting and organising all external and internal activities such as

Periodic meetings of the vigilante

Communication of the decisions made by the leadership to members,

External meetings and discussions with the Community Accountability

Forum (CAF), Police and government authorities

Training activities for the vigilante and members of the public meetings


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4. Code of Conduct – Regulating Member Behaviour

The respect and trust we earn from the community is only as good as the

respect we show to the rules that guide our operation as a group. As members

of the vigilante/ neighbourhood security watch, we must bear in mind that we

exist to serve the community and the powers we exhibit is given to us by the

community and the Police authority; these critical stakeholders we must

constantly respect and satisfy.

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for member behaviour as well

as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour. In other words, it provides a

check on what is good, acceptable and what is bad and unacceptable as we

carry out our responsibilities

4.1. Soliciting Money and Extortion is not Fundraising

You must not ask for money or

extort money or take bribe from

members of the public or crime

suspects to do your work, except

it is an approved fundraising

activity

All fund raising activities must be

approved by the Community

Accountability Forum , and or the

chairman of the vigilante within


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a defined period

Collecting money for the

vigilante and not declaring it to

the finance unit is an offence

All money received during fund raising and unsolicited support must be

declared to the head of finance, who shall then write to the contributor to

acknowledge that the vigilante received his/her specific contribution

Use of Force and Violence

Use of violence and torture

tactics such as encouraging an

angry mob to attack a crime

suspect, or using torture and

violence to make arrest or get

information from a suspect is

unlawful.

The only time you can use force

is when your safety is in doubt

and you need to protect

yourself. This would mean that

Any report of extortion, seeking or

taking bribe, or diverting the

vigilante’s money for personal use

would automatically lead to suspension

of the vigilante operative pending

investigation into the complaint or

issue.

If the case is proven, the member of

the vigilante that is guilty will be

asked to leave the vigilante


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your attacker must be armed or

engages you in a fight to which

you must protect yourself from

harm

In the course of your joint patrol

you must not partake or

encourage the brutalisation of

suspects

You must not resort to violence

except when the conditions

require that you do so in self

defence

4.2. Show No bias or favouritism

Do not favour or take sides ; it destroys public trust in our ability to be

objective in our work

Beating up suspects and causing bodily

harm amounts to jungle justice and

taking the law into your hands. Any

reported incident and complaint proven

may lead to suspension for first time

offenders

A Repeat of the offence if proven,

would lead to dismissal of the

vigilante operative. In addition such

a person would bear the cost of

treatment/ rehabilitation of the

battered victim/suspect


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We must not support one ethnic, religious group, tribe over another in

our decisions about who is a crime suspect or who is a perpetrator of

violence/ unrest

We must always put the safety of the community first above all other

interest. By this we must not take sides, withhold information that

could lead to their arrest or destroying evidence in their favour

If a crime suspect happens to be someone you know as a close friend or

a relation, you must inform your supervisor or the chairman about your

relationship with the suspect so that you can be excused from the

matter

4.3. Dealing with Crime Suspects

Members of the vigilante have the same rights as any member of the

public to arrest a perpetrator of an offence/crime or of any person

reasonably suspected of being about to commit an offence

Every crime suspect is assumed innocent until proven guilty; therefore

we are not expected to judge crime cases. Our role is to arrest , provide

useful information and hand over to the Police

Do not maltreat or harass members of the community without cause,

especially female members of the community. harassment could

mean but not limited to deliberate intimidation, stalking or use of

offensive verbal comments related to the persons gender, tribe,

religion, disability; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome

sexual attention

We must not discriminate (assume that certain members of the public

are criminals or have criminal intentions ) on the basis of what they

wear, their age, their lifestyle , their gender (sex) without reasonable

facts connecting them to an offence/ crime or a suspicious activity


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4.4. Aiding and Abating crime

When our actions undermine the safety and security of the people and their

property we are supposed to protect, we make ourselves accessories to crime.

A member would be encouraging or perpetrating crime if he or she:

Steals or is implicated in a theft / robbery incident

Sexually harasses members of the public

Shares the information gathered from its patrol activities with

criminals or persons outside the vigilante without the approval of the

vigilante

Uses information from the vigilante for personal interests

Should a member of the vigilante be found guilty of a

criminal offence committed when the member is operating

formally as a vigilante member, The person shall be

dismissed from the group and the committee responsible for

handling disciplinary matters shall make a formal public

statement to the CAF about its action

4.5. Confidentiality

No member of vigilante shall release any statement or talk to any media on

any matters concerning the vigilante unless the content of any statement has

been agreed by the vigilante chairman. If approval is not given within seven

days of submitting the proposed statement the member is at liberty to release

such statement

.

4.6. Abuse of authority

It is an abuse of authority and the trust given to the vigilante if a member:

Compels his/her colleagues to do work that are not related to peace

building and crime prevention. This will include engaging them to run

personal errands or making them subservient


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Detains a suspicious person without reason. Hence you must let the

person know why he or she is being detained

Subjects erring colleagues and members of the public to dehumanising

treatment. such dehumanizing treatment could include but not limited

to :

Corporal punishment

Lynching/ Flogging

No member may take the law into his or her hand no matter

the circumstance

4.7. Conducting Search

As part of your patrol and watch activity it is possible for you to subject a

suspicious person to search. However this search should be done to the extent

that we do not, intimidate, harass or subject such person to ridicule such as

stripping them of their clothes, or ransacking their possessions (or dipping

your hands into the person’s pocket). A simple “pat down” to see if the person

is in possession or concealing a dangerous weapon will just be enough. You

must treat women with extra care so we are not accused of violating their

rights in the course of our work.

4.8. Investigating a Crime

Our responsibility in investigating a crime is simply to gather information and

make observations that will enable the vigilante determine the cause (how

the crime occurred?) and consequence ( the extent of the damage or loss

sustained) so that we can accurately describe an offence or a crime that has

been committed and learn from it to improve our operations.

A secondary role will be to aid the Police with information that will resolve the

crime. Our work is not supposed to replace the work of the Nigerian Police

who have the skill and capacity to carry out a more thorough and effective


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investigation. Our role is to support the Police in resolving a crime or dealing

with an offence. As such:

In the event of a break-in or a property is vandalised, you are not supposed

to enter the scene without prior permission from the owner or the person

in control of the property or your supervisor

4.9. Bearing Arms on Patrol

No member shall carry any weapon perceived to be dangerous that could

inflict serious bodily harm or damage to property. This includes dangerous

weapons as defined by law when patrolling. Only weapons for the sole

purpose of self-defence as approved by the Divisional Police Officer, The

chairman of the Vigilante may be used.

If you dispossess a criminal suspect of a dangerous weapon, you are

expected to make a record of what you collected and declare same to the

Police to aid their investigation

Equipments e.g. whistles, raincoat etc taken for patrol must be retired at

the end of such patrol duty

5. Disciplinary Procedure for Dealing with Violations of Code of Conduct and

other grievances

The code of conduct described so far and every other rule contained in this

document is binding on all members of the vigilante. Breaking any of the

rules is an offence and any member who breaks any will be made to face

disciplinary action. The measure of discipline will depend on how severe

the offence is.

Generally disciplinary actions will be progressive to give offenders the

opportunity to seek/ take correction. In some instance offenders will be

dismissed, depending on the outcome of a disciplinary committee’s

investigation.


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In the event of any complaint being lodged against a member of a

neighbourhood watch, the neighbourhood watch concerned, may propose

to reprimand, suspend, or expel the member, subject to an investigation

and to deal with the matter at its earliest convenience and advise the

complainant of its action.

The category of violations and the disciplinary action to be taken are as

follows:

1. Reprimand - this will take the form of verbal and written warning for

light offences and violations. This is usually given to first time offenders

of the following offences:

a. Failure to submit patrol/ duty summary form

b. Absenteeism, lateness to duty and operational meetings

c. Abuse of authority

d. Failure to use ID card during patrol

e. Unauthorised sharing of information with members of the press

f. Unauthorised use of your identity card

g. Misplacement of the organisation’s property e.g. ID card

2. Suspension – Here the leadership of the vigilante will place an offender

on a compulsory exemption from duty. This treatment will given

clearly to express the management’s displeasure with the conduct of

any member that repeatedly go against laid down instruction, failing to

take personal responsibility to change his or her behaviour. Other

offence if committed will attract a suspension even as first time

offender, they include:

a. All reprimand offences committed repeatedly

b. Use of unauthorised weapon during patrol

c. Extortion and bribery

d. Discrimination and or taking sides

e. Beating up a suspect

f. Encouraging violence

g. Insubordination – refusing to take lawful instruction


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3. Expulsion – This category of offence are capable of destroying the

reputation of the vigilante. All criminal offences committed by any

member of the vigilante will attract a recommendation of dismissal

from the group, subject to a thorough investigation to confirm wrong

doing. They include but are not limited to:

a. Embezzlement

b. Extortion

c. Substance abuse

d. Possession and use of unapproved firearms

e. Theft

f. Conniving with criminals

g. Torture or use of punishment to extract confession from suspects

or to deal with a difficult suspect

h. Sexual violence and any other form of physical violence that are

not done in self defence

i. Participating in public protest or encouraging the destruction of

personal and public property

j. Fraud: False financial claims and failure to render proper account

of finance and financial transaction

5.1. Reporting an Abuse

It is compulsory that any member who is aware of any incidence of

misconduct must report such incidence to the chairman and the head of

operations or any other person assigned the authority to hear such matter by

the chairman. It is wrong to deliberately withhold any information that can

destroy or question the integrity or reputation of the group. Such incidence

includes issues of:

Extortion

Substance abuse

Possession and use of unapproved firearms

Theft

Conniving with criminals

Torture or use of punishment to extract confession from suspects or to

deal with a difficult suspect


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Sexual violence and any other form of physical violence that are not

done in self defence

Participating in public protest or encouraging the destruction of

personal and public property

Fraud: False financial claims and failure to render proper account of

finance and financial transaction

Falsification of member personal records

Failure to report on the above could be seen as encouraging gross misconduct

in the group. Any person who is aware of such violations but fails to report

appropriately shall receive a verbal warning in the first instance and placed on

suspension as a second offender based on the recommendation of a

disciplinary committee

5.2. The Process of Reporting and Hearing Matters of Indiscipline

1. Reports received by the head of operations of the chairman will be

documented in a record boo (with the admin person assisting in recording a

verbal complaint, in situation where the person reporting cannot

communicate effectively in writing).

2. A complaint file is opened and record of the complaint is filed by the

administrative officer.

3. The chairman shall call for a meeting of the disciplinary committee to

consider the case, investigate and invite for questioning the member in

violation of the code of conduct. The disciplinary committee is made up of

the chairman, head of operations, the administrative Officer and the head

of finance

4. During this process the offending member of the group will be given a fair

hearing to defend himself against the allegation raised.

5. The committee seats within a week to hear the case and submits its

recommendation to the supervisory CDA/ Police representative to ratify

the decision.


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6. Guideline to Operational Procedures

6.1 Accountability

6.1.1 The vigilant group will be accountable to the CDA chairman in the first

instance and shall also be accountable to the community

Accountability Forum. The vigilante accountability requirement to the

Police will be purely on the need to uphold the law, provide relevant

information about the community that will make policing more

effective

6.1.2 Each member shall give his or her beat supervisor a report of all

incidents during any patrol or related work within 24hours of

completion of such patrol or related vigilante work

6.1.3 Each member will be given a patrol report form before they embark on

patrol duty.

6.1.4 The head of operations will receive all completed forms and use this to

discuss security planning and performance meeting with all beat

supervisors deliberate on the outcome duty

6.1.5 At the end of the meeting the outcome will be made available to the

chairman and admin for consideration and record keeping respectively

6.1.6 Every potential crime or crime in progress situation must report to the

Police within the hour it is observed.

6.1.7 Where a much detailed information is required by the Police, the public

and the CAF the request will be processed by the head of operations

through the chairman

6.2 Membership

Members shall be solely drawn from people who live within the community. In

selecting members there shall be no discrimination with regard to religion,

tribe, gender (sex). Our selection policy will strive to maintain equal

representation of the various section of the community as much as possible.

However, membership is only restricted to persons who have attained 18years

of age and above.


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6.3 Member Identification

Because our work is primarily about security, we must be able to differentiate

ourselves from other members of the public every time we are on duty. This

will also enable the Police and other government law enforcement agencies

such as the National Civil Defence to recognise us and differentiate us from

persons who may want to hide under the pretence of vigilante to commit

crime. As a result:

1. All members of the vigilante will have identity cards and carry them every

time they are on patrol or performing any other vigilante work

2. The identity cards of members must contain:

o A recent photograph of the member,

o His or her full names,

o Identity number

o Member’s signature or thumb print

o Authorisation and signature of the CDA, chairman of the vigilante

and

o Bear reference to Police station with law enforcement jurisdiction

(responsibility) over the said community

3. The ID is not an excuse or a protection for members who commit offence

either within or outside the community. Therefore it is an offence to use

the ID as a means of identification when not on duty. Your ID card is only

valid for use within the community and during assigned vigilante work

4. All identity cards shall be renewed every two years,

5. Members who are leaving the group will be required as part of their exit

activities, to retire their ID card with the admin officer

6. If a member loses his or her Identity card, the loss must be reported

without delay to the head of operations or the beat supervisor

7. No person under the age of 18years shall be allowed to be a member of the

vigilante

6.4 Recruiting for vacant positions

The chairman of the group through the administration officer shall make a

request to the Head of the CDA or the traditional council meeting for a


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meeting notifying the council of the office of the CDA of its intention to recruit

persons for the group. The request shall contain the following information:

A description of the persons work e.g. the kind of work to performed

What the responsibility demands e.g. time of work, how often etc

The previous experience ( if necessary) the person must have

Any other conditions where necessary- e.g. age , sex

1. Advert for vacancy will be put up in the CDA office, Local council office (if

close to the catchment of the group). Following this, members of the CDA

meeting such as Landlords will be informed by word of mouth as well to

inform their tenants or residents

2. The CDA chairman shall set up a committee made up of representatives of

the vigilante, CDA and the Police and or the traditional council to review,

screen and interview candidates

3. The screen process will seek to review the records of the Police to establish

if there are any record of complaints and offense raised against or

committed by the candidate, among other things

4. Successful candidates will be required to provide a recommendation of

good character from a notable member of the community not limited to

but include – landlords, a member of the council, CDA secretariat, and the

vigilante group

5. It is important to note that at any point of the recruitment process where a

member of the committee have personal interest or relationship with a

candidate, such a committee member must let the committee be aware

and must afterwards excuse his or herself from a any decision making

involving the candidate in concern

6. The final shortlist of candidates will be presented to the community

council for final approval

6.5 Replacing Leaders

Three months before the expiration of the tenure of a leader, the leadership

council1 as coordinated by the CDA will advertise for the impending vacancies.

They will seek and consider interest from among members first and later 1 Representative of the traditional authority/ elders, CDA chairman, the Police DPO or his representative


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encourage members of the community to apply for the position that are likely

to be vacant.

The leadership council meet to screen and select the suitable candidate for

the vacant position

The outgoing personnel would spend the last one month providing

orientation for their replacement

In the event that a leader leaves suddenly without notice the next most

experienced member shall provide orientation in the event that incoming

leader is new to the group

7. Training and Development

To improve overall performance of the group, the leadership must constantly

seek technical support and funding towards enhancing the knowledge of its

members on crime prevention. Two levels of training are required:

Relevant information about the growing trend and sophistication in crime

including but not limited the overall direction of crime prevention and

policing; observance of guidelines on human rights and policing

General operational improvement around key operations and functions of

the group

As part of the guidelines regulating training activities, every new member shall

undergo a period of training induction (a minimum of two weeks) before they

are given responsibilities. The induction is expected to equip new members

on:

The basics of crime and public safety , informal policing and crime

prevention

Human rights principles in community justice and policing

Basic investigation skills

Patrol and surveillance

Combat and defence skills

Violence and unrest handling and prevention

Reporting and document outcome of patrol activities


[25]

Overview of the environment scope or area covered by the vigilante

service

7.1 Policy on member training

The Head of operations with the support of the admin officer will prepare a

plan outlining a list of training activities for the year. The Head of operations

shall consider the quality of experience of its operatives against the level of

expected performance in determining what it lacks in skill and experience

1. A training request (proposal) containing the training activities should be

prepared and submit to the chairman who will meet or consult with the

Police authorities and the heads of traditional council for approval and

support

2. Deciding who attends training will be based on merit. Hence every member

shall be entitled to equal training hours (the number of hours spent on

training) every year. The admin officer will keep a record of all the training

attended by members of the group.

3. The Head of operations will ensure that no operative is assigned a crime

prevention responsibility without adequate training.

4. The Head of Operations will ensure to provide Illustrative trainings to assist

operatives identify specific crime such as:

a. Person screaming as a possible assault or rape;

b. person loitering around schools, playgrounds, parks as a possible sex

offender or kidnappers;

c. locked vehicle that person is attempting to forcibly enter,

particularly in a parking lot has a potential for auto theft or

vandalism

d. material being removed from a construction site and loaded into a

vehicle at an unusual hour as a possible theft;

e. Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business as a possible

burglary.

5. The head of operations will be responsible for organising community

‘security advice’ and crime prevention awareness training for members of

the community to encourage crime consciousness and compliance with


[26]

regulations against behaviour / activities that put the community and

residents at risk of crime

6. The chairman will seek out training opportunities with Police authorities,

NGOs the national civil defence corps and any other paramilitary outfit to

provide training for members

8. Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation

The group owes the leadership of the community, the members of the

community and the Police the duty to perform excellently. The group

operates and exists because it has the authority and support of the leadership

and the community. Therefore we will review our performance across three

levels namely group or organisation level, individual member level and

community level

8.1 Group level

The assessment here will focus on determining the capacity of the group to

protect itself and the community in crime prevention and public safety. The

Admin officer and the head of operations shall take stock of the tools,

equipment and the number of people (members) available to render service

within the area. This evaluation will seek to provide answers to the following

questions

Do we have adequate tools to carry out effective watch – torchlight,

warm clothing and jackets? Batons?

Are there enough persons to effectively provide security cover?

Do we have sufficient support from the community, govt and other

stakeholders to guarantee protection? And keep members motivated

over a long period??

Is the public losing confidence in us or gaining our trust?

Are our members being accused of applying jungle justice?

Is the community satisfied with our performance? Do they feel safe

The outcome of this assessment will typically form the basis of its request for

support in addressing its challenges


[27]

8.2 Community Level

The vigilante group shall provide a report of the events that have occurred

within the community during its watch activities that IS:

Actual crime committed

Number of crime, violence foiled

Suspicious events observed

Activities that posed a crime threat

Recommendations about environmental improvements that can reduce

the chances of crime being committed

Security advice for homes and business within the community

Issues between Police and the community- what offends and what

needs to be praised

The vigilante will work closely with the CDA and traditional authorities

seeking other means of passing information to members conducting this

assessment, the CDA chairman will create a session during its periodic

meeting schedule with resident / Landlord to hear or receive feedback

/comments from members of the community. The chairman of the vigilante is

expected to lead the session by asking specific questions. Concerns The

comments will be recorded by the admin officer.

The group leadership will deliberate on the feedback it receives to address

concerns raised about the conduct and performance of its members. While

issues concerning the quality of law enforcement and issues of new security

threat shall be deliberated upon by group, the Police and the leadership

council in seeking new ways to addressing the community concerns for safety

8.3 Individual Level

As a result it will ensure that as it carries out its activities and keeps a record of

it and the events that occur within so that it can properly measure if it is doing

its work well. To make this happen:

1. Every beat or unit of operation must keep a record and regularly

update changes in the area, especially the changes that raise security

and public safety concern


[28]

2. The head of operations will meet with Police to determine the kind of

field information will make their job of crime prevention and the

protection of lives and property of members of the community easy

3. Each beat/ unit supervisor will monitor and score the performance of

each operative

4. The supervisor will be responsible for putting together the field reports

and to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Police and those

set by the leadership of the group

5. In scoring or assessing their operatives , supervisors will consider among

other things, the following:

a. Character

b. Attitude to work

c. Reported complaints

d. Incidence of performance – preventing crime or providing useful

information that led to crime or violence avoidance

e. Disciplinary concerns and reports

9. Promotions, Rewards and Welfare

Each leadership position must be subject to tenure. The tenure for any single

term can range from 1 – 3 years depending on what is agreed within the

constitution. The terms of office will not exceed two terms for any person and

for a particular position. The positions eligible for this process shall be those of

the coordinator, the head of operations and the chairman of the group. It is

important to a mention a few conditions that qualify persons for each of the

positions

Chairman

Previous experience in leading operations or managing a group of

neighbourhood watch or any security outfit

Residency within the community

Head of operations

Experience in role as a beat/unit or program coordinator

Knowledge of the environment and public safety conditions


[29]

Residency within the community

Head of finance

Past record of accountability and ability to manage treasury and book

keeping function of a social club, age grade, trade association or work

experience as an accountant or finance manager

Coordinator

Experience in leading people in patrol/surveillance or managing grassroots

mobilisation

Experience in carrying out crime watch or undertaking or rendering

community service over a period

9.1 Promotions

The management team consisting of the chairman, head of operations,

finance and admin operatives shall consider all requests for promotion

following the outcome of individual evaluations. A satisfactory performance

over two annual evaluations should earn an elevation in position as shown in

the diagram below

Officer

Area

coordinator

Operative

Beat/ unit

coordinator Senior

operative

Head

operations

Asst

officer Asst

officer

Head of Finance/

Head of admin

Head of admin


[30]

9.2 Rewards and Member Welfare

Members should be aware that the group and the service it provides are

voluntary. Hence it may not be able to totally compensate its members for

the work their service. However the group shall offer the following, based on

the money it has at its disposal to do so.

1. A monthly stipend or allowance at a flat rate will be given to members

regardless of position. This amount will be determined by the head of

traditional authorities and the CDA chairman

2. A health and accident insurance health insurance cover will be taken for

all members of the operations unit to cater for members welfare

3. Members will be given first opportunity to be nominated for short

employments for community jobs organised by the government and

corporate organisations

10. Field Operations

In this section guideline to three broad activities are covered, they include:

Patrol/surveillance

Public safety Awareness campaign

Planning and Monitoring

10.1 Patrols/ Surveillance

10.1.1 Every patrol / surveillance decision should be influenced by a posting

plan to ensure effective coverage of the area. Some of the

considerations that a coordinator/ head of operations should bear in

mind are:

10.1.2 That all members of the group are assigned to a particular area ,

matching names and person to locations

10.1.3 That each unit of patrol must consist of at least two persons

10.1.4 The head of must keep a record sheet or log of deployment and

field reports

10.1.5 Assigned areas should have a basic area information such as:


[31]

o Number of major streets that provide entry to and exit from the

assigned area

o Number and type of residence – fenced , unfenced , multi-dweller

(aka “face me I face you”)

o Business activities and trading activities – what kind-

neighbourhood stores, shopping centre, large supermarket, match

viewing centres, Recreation/ hospitality, banks etc? Duration of

operation?

o Number of unoccupied/ uncompleted buildings

o Number of abandoned vehicles

o Nature of road network- number/names of street connections

and link to major exit roads

o Availability or non-availability Physical barriers to crime – gated

streets and fenced buildings, street lights, organised refuse

disposal etc.

o Any new developments – strange movement of person(s), Vehicle

etc.

10.1.6 Operatives and coordinators must report to duty by signing a

register at the office designated for the vigilante in the CDA before

beginning their volunteer service and indicate their intended target

patrol area or location. They should maintain familiarity with the

geographical boundaries of their patrol area and the street and

block designation of their respective location. Operatives should

also be familiar with other active operatives participating in their

program and possibly patrolling in the same area.

10.1.7 Operatives must be assigned patrol responsibilities in pairs. They

must have a close partner who can assist them and serve as a

protective cover when they come in contact with potential threat

10.1.8 To further enhance safety volunteers should work with a partner

whenever possible. Volunteers do not approach a suspected

offender as mentioned above. Suspicious activity should be called in

to the agency. Therefore, an agency issued or privately owned

cellular phone is a necessary safety item to be carried on patrol duty

at all times. Volunteers do not play hero. They maintain observation


[32]

of suspicious activity from a safe distance until Police officers arrive

on scene.

10.1.9 The head of operations should provide its operatives with fill –in-

the- blank spaces forms to assist them to record and report on their

patrol/ watch activities.

10.1.10 An operative should and be made to identify and report the

following suspicious activities

Provide details of suspects - ex, age, height, weight ,language, hair,

clothing type and colour , glasses, facial hair, scars, facial marks

Automobile details - make, model, year, colour, body style, license

plate number

10.1.11 The head of operations will liaise with the DPO to obtain phone

numbers and rooster of Police men on patrol and share key response

lines with watch coordinators

10.1.12 The Head of operations is expected undertake periodic training

with private securities employed by residents to educate them on

surveillance and to agree a basic anti- robbery, anti-break-in, and

anti-violence procedure, sharing responsibilities among members of

the vigilante group and private security hires.

10.1.13 The Street/ beat or unit coordinators will identify key business

premises and hold security drills with business owners to educate

them on basic procedure for reporting a robbery or possible threat

to the coordinators and provide phone access and other discrete

alerts that will only be known to them (business owners, the private

security guards and members of the vigilante group

10.1.14 As an operative the moment you observe any suspicious activity,

including the gathering of unknown persons, you are expected to

alert your coordinator, who within five minutes must inform the

Police team on patrol. However, coordinators will need to determine

what kind of suspicious activity requires a focus and a distress call to

the Police.


[33]

10.1.15 You are expected to withdraw from any scene or incident where

violence is being used or threatened, extreme care should taken not

to confront the perpetrator shall not confront the perpetrators.

10.1.16 Nothing however restricts your right as individual or as member

of the vigilante to defend yourself or the person being attacked

using reasonable force to do so if faced with subject to actual or

reasonably anticipated violence

10.2 Public Safety Awareness campaign

10.2.1 The leadership of the vigilante in conjunction with the Police shall

embark on specific public safety awareness campaign to raise the

crime alertness of members of the community.

Threats of kidnapping and sex violence affecting children shall

involve interactions with school authorities and parents/ guardians

during PTAs to agree strategy to raising their vigilance and how to

raise alert

Business operators/ traders to sensitize them and assist them

educate their customers in taking preventing measures against

burglary, robbery, car- theft, theft respectively

10.2.2 The group work closely with the Police to agree awareness message

and materials to avoid providing too much information that could be

counterproductive, if they get into the wrong hands. They must also

check what they communicate to avoid communicating fear,

aggression and suspicion and emphasise positive solutions and

encourage participation

10.3 Monitoring

On a rotational basis coordinators will swap locations to observe how

effective patrol/ watch activities are carried out, and they will also use such

opportunity to verify reports provided by operatives on the field. Other

activities for monitoring the activities of the group include:


[34]

10.3.1 A monitoring unit comprising representative of the patrol team and

a group senior or area coordinators will make calls and physically

observe the areas covered by the watch. They will seek to observe

the quality of watch and operatives conduct with members of the

community, availability of adequate tool and support for operatives

on duty

10.3.2 Reports involving needs for improvement will be made unknown to

beat coordinators whose areas were affected or of concern. The

observation is grievous or are in violation of the code of conduct will

be mentioned to the chairman of the group

10.3.3 Issues involving immediate actions by members of the community

will be explored with the affected landlord (s) with the aid of the

Police to address anti-social behaviour or any other threat to public

safety

11.Finance and Administration

This section will prescribe guidelines to basic process for managing the finance

and back office operations of vigilante operations, to the extent that it can

financially sustain its activities, effectively prevent crime and promote social

cohesion in the community. They include:

11.1 Finance

The vigilante is a non-profit and not a business venture. it will not buy or sell to

carry out its work, instead it will continue to rely on the financial support it can

get from concerned well-meaning individuals, businesses within the

community and where possible, the government.

Source and use of funds – where we get our money from and how we

spend it

Fund raising – How to get money to implement our activities

Reporting on expenditure - giving account of how we spent the money

that was given


[35]

11.2 Source and Use of Funds

11.2.1 All source of all money received by the vigilante from members of

the community must be declared to the CAF and the CDA chairman.

11.2.2 The vigilante will not knowingly receive money from a group or

business or individual with questionable character or dealings

11.2.3 The vigilante shall adopt a funding policy that puts ensures that no

single individual or organisation shall donates more than a specified

limit. This is to ensure that no individual or organisation influences

or manipulates the activities of the vigilante for serve personal,

political or economic interest of its donors.

11.2.4 The vigilante chairman shall seek the support of the CDA and the

traditional to requests for funds from

Periodic payments by members of the community as dues to

support the work of crime prevention

Approach the local government or council for money and

technical support to carry out its activities

Embark on any fundraising with corporate bodies with economic

interest in the area.

11.2.5 The group shall register an operating account, “CDA security

Account “with a bank. Dues and payments shall be received by the

Head of finance of the vigilante and record of bank statements will

be reported to the CDA chairman

11.2.6 The head of finance shall make a requisition for monthly operational

funds to Chairman of the vigilante for endorsement and approval for

payment shall be given by the CDA chairman and or the Head of

traditional authorities. Both persons shall serve as signatories to the

account in addition to the chairman of the vigilante. All cheque

instruments shall be kept in the possession of the finance officer


[36]

11.3 Fund Raising

11.3.1 The chairman shall convene a planning meeting to develop a

proposal on its activities that will require specific funding and make

such presentation to the CDA chairman and Head of traditional

authorities for consideration

11.3.2 The request to the supervising authority or to prospective funders

should indicate the following:

Why the vigilante want to use the fund/ resource

How the finance/resources/facilities will be used.

How many households, and or members it would impact

Describe your event or project

Provide information about the group’s activity, your

achievements, how long it has been in existence, the relationship

it shares with community, Police authority that indicate that you

are authentic ( especially when you are dealing with corporate

organisations)

Create a list of items including the cost and create opportunities

for sponsors to donate materials, services and any other means to

support without providing cash

11.3.3 All financial and non-financial support received should be recorded

and communicated to the leadership council as part of its quarterly

reporting of its activities

11.3.4 Letters of appreciation acknowledging the support received should

be written in the letter headed stationery (paper) of the CDA being

supervising body to the vigilante group. The letter should be signed

by the CDA and any other member of the council of the leadership.

The letter should contain the amount received or a list of items and

service and other support received

11.3.5 The management of the vigilante and indeed should always put a

ceiling to any individual contribution made to funding raising

campaign and to publish every contributor and the amounts they


[37]

put forward. This will ensure that the group is not vulnerable to

being bought or manipulated by any person or group of persons

11.4 Reporting Expenditure and financial Transactions

11.4.1 All financial transactions should be backed with receipts, and when

not possible, provide evidence of the request and that the money

was received by someone.

11.4.2 At the end of every month the finance officer should prepare

retirement, a list of all the expenditure for the period and indicating

the balance of cash available

11.4.3 Periodic community Town hall meetings should provide opportunity

for the vigilante group report on their stewardship of the support

they have received from members of the public and corporate

organisations

11.4.4 A Copy of report of the source and application of funds should be

retained by the CDA office


[38]

Appendices

Sample Forms


[39]

VPS Public Complaints form

Name of

complainant

Address of

business /

residence [street

and area]

Telephone

number

I am complaining about (please tick )

Date of the

incident

Time of the

incident

Location of the

incident

Name of the vigilante

officer involved

Briefly Narrate your complaint

Security Concern Vigilante Misconduct


[40]

Date & Signature of

complainant

Date and Signature of

receiving official


Basic Patrol Area information

Beat area Name or

code

Local area

description to the

nearest bust stop

(s)

Number of street Number of close (s) ( streets without connection)

Names of streets 1.

2.

3.

4.

Description of Environmental conditions

To each of the

description

state whether

- “yes” , or

“Few” or

“None”

Street

lights

Uncomplet

ed and

unoccupied

building

Abandon

ed

vehicles

(Vehicles

parked

for more

than two

weeks)

Late night

businesses (incl.

Viewing centre,

cyber cafe, hotel

and beer

parlour)

Street

Gates

Street

security

Major

Super-

marke

ts

Local

market

s

Primary

school

[s]


[42]


Insert street

name under

Nature of

crime

Insert street

name

Under

Nature of

crime

Any other Useful area description

Stealing Car theft Burglary

Youth violence

Kidnapping

Others

Stealing Car theft Burglary

Youth violence

Kidnapping

Others


[43]


Compiled By [

Name]

Date

compiled

Reviewed by

[Name]

Name of Beat

area

Date beat was

created

Name of Beat

Supervisor

Contact details

Name of

operatives

assigned to this

beat

1.

2.

3.

Contact details 1.

2.

3.


PATROL REPORT FORM

Name of patrol

area

Beat

Name

Supervisor’s

Name

Name of member

reporting

Number of persons on

patrol

Duration

Time

From: To: Date

Street / Address

of incidence of

crime

Residen

tial

break-in

Robbe

ry

Busine

ss

robbe

ry

Theft

out- of-

motor

vehicle

Car

snatchin

g

Kidnap

ping

Destructi

on of

property

Youth

violen

ce

Tribal/

religio

us

clash

Others

(specify)

Summary of Crime Observed (describe what happened) any casualty? How did it happen? Where fire arms used? Any

losses?


[45]

Police patrol

Unit Contacted

Name of Patrol

officer

Time of

report to

Police


These guidelines were prepared and produced with the support of the DFID-funded

Justice for All Programme (J4A). J4A is working to improve personal security and

access to justice for all Nigerian.

www.j4a-nigeria.org

Community safety meeting with a VPS group

Neighbourhood Watch officers

Neighbourhood Watch officers patrolling in a Lagos suburb

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