Gombe — Gombe State Police Command has directed all police personnel riding motorcycles in the state to ensure that they wear crash helmets.

The Deputy Police Commissioner, Mr Nicholas Nkemdame, said in Gombe, that the directive was coming on the heels of the January 1, deadline for the use of helmets by motorcyclists across the country.

He said the directive was intended to make policemen to be in the fore-front of the implementation of the order.

"Charity begins at home, we want people to emulate us," the deputy police commissioner said.

According to him, no policeman riding a motorcycle would be allowed into the command's headquarters if he did not wear crash helmet.

He said so far, 70 per cent compliance by policemen had been achieved, adding that those who failed to comply were being made to park their motorcycles at the command's gate.

"For now, we are only concerned with the police for people to see and know that we are law abiding," Nkemdame said.

He warned that severe consequences awaited any officer, who flouted the directive on the use of helmet.

"Any policeman found wanting on the issue of helmet will be charged to court without any pity," he warned.