By Abdallah el-Kurebe, Editor
The Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Alhaji Musiliu Smith the Commission will chart a new direction for the Nigeria Police that would create confidence in the citizenry.
Speaking at a four-day Management Retreat of the commission in Enugu on Monday, he added that the Commission would monitor the conduct of police personnel deployed for the 2019 general elections.
The theme of the event is “Re-positioning and Strengthening the Police Service Commission for Effective Mandate Delivery’’.
According to Smith, “We believe this strategy instilled a certain measure of confidence in the police at the time and caused them to be more professional in the discharge of their duty to citizens. This established a sense of mutual respect in both the police and citizens and it is a model we intend to replicate for the 2019 general elections.”
The chairman said that the commission would replicate the model it used for Osun governorship election in September where telephone hotlines were put in place to enable members of the public report erring police officers.
He said that PSC would also establish on-the-spot team that would quickly resolve all reports and advise on disciplinary measures as required.
Smith said that the retreat became necessary following the need to develop a three-year strategic plan as a compass in the quest to remodel the police force.
He said that PSC was also worried that the police are viewed with suspicion of partisanship by members of the public.
“Without doubt, Nigeria is bedevilled with security challenges ranging from insurgency to intra-organisational hiccups within the security forces, including the police.
“How, for instance, do we supervise and regulate the police in 2019 general elections when the police are viewed with suspicion of partisanship by the public?
“How do we deal with allegations of human rights abuses brought against officers? What is the best way to position our police to enhance their crime fighting abilities in line with best practices?
“The PSC is already taking steps to improve the professionalism with the force and these steps will further be consolidated at the end of this retreat,” he said.
Smith commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for administering the state in a progressive, people-oriented and security-conscious manner.
“It is gratifying to note that the governor has graciously supported the programme, further confirming his commitment to robust government and police relations in the state,” he said.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim, said that the composition of the current PSC was the best in recent times.
Ibrahim, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Maigari Diko, said that he would always support the commission to enable it realise its mandate and make it more successful.
In his goodwill message, Ugwuanyi said that he had the confidence that the current chairman of the PSC would succeed in repositioning the police force.
Ugwuanyi said that his administration had consistently maintained outstanding relationship with security agencies in the state.
“We will continue to offer our support to the commission to perform its duties,” he said.
The National Coordinator, Service Compact with all Nigerians (SERVICOM), Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said that PSC needed to make its recruitment process more transparent.
Akajemeli said that there were lots of disconnect between what was on ground in the various police commands and what was required of police officers.
She said that the way the police was administered needed to change, adding that all stakeholders must support the new drive to reform the force.
