He Police Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday, met with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP and the German government during which they called for support and a productive partnership to improve policing in Nigeria in line with policing reforms in course.
This is a follow-up to the commission’s stakeholder advocacy meetings for a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Police Force for optimal service delivery.
It is also the brainchild of the commission’s chairman, Solomon Arase, a former inspector general of police.
At the meeting which took place at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, a member of the commission, Clara Ogunbiyi, who represented the president, said that it has been a difficult task to supervise the police with the myriad of challenges facing the commission. .
Ms. Ogunbiyi requested assistance from the Organization and the German government in some areas that will help the commission rebuild the Nigerian Police Force for better performance.
He mentioned the creation of an automated database of police personnel and the conduct of a police personnel verification exercise. This, he said, will allow the commission to have reliable data on police personnel in Nigeria.
Ms. Ogunbiyi, a retired Supreme Court justice, also said the commission will need support in conducting background checks on recruits and cadets-in-training to help verify their credentials and determine criminal records or involvement in criminal activity.
He spoke about the need for a medical/psychiatric evaluation of police officers for the early detection of diseases and to prevent sudden deaths during the service.
According to her, it will also help discover officers who are addicted to hard drugs or alcohol and rehabilitate them. Mentally unstable officers will also be found out and taken off the streets or their appointments terminated.
Ms. Ogunbiyi requested support for specialized training of commission staff on investigation, communication skills, ICT and NPF administrative procedures. She said this will help equip staff with the necessary skills that will enable them to perform their roles optimally.
UNDP Nigeria’s Simon Ridley said the organization is in the commission to explore how it can collaborate, partner, support and strengthen ongoing police reforms in the country.
Mr. Ridley also noted that the organization was also interested in the commission’s role in police oversight and accountability and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
Grothe Tobias from the Federal Foreign Office of the German Embassy, security sector, represented the German Government at the Stakeholders Meeting.
Ikechukwu AniHead, Press and Public Relations Wednesday May 10, 2023.