LOPSIDEDNESS IN POLICE PROMOTION NOT TRUE – PSC. ***Police Provost Marshals to arrest erring officers

LOPSIDEDNESS IN POLICE PROMOTION NOT TRUE – PSC.
***Police Provost Marshals to arrest erring officers

Following widespread allegations of lopsidedness in the recent promotions and postings of senior police officers (SPOs) which favoured a particular section of the country to the detriment of other parts, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro has said that officers of the force are only promoted if the PSC satisfies itself that their promotions conform to the seniority order and none is having Pending Disciplinary Matters.

Okiro made the clarification just as he disclosed that modalities have been concluded between the Police High Command and Management of the PSC to deploy Police Provost Marshals and Staff of PSC to the Airports, Highways and other notable places to monitor and arrests police officers attached to VIP’s who form the habit of allowing themselves to be used as domestic servants.

Making the disclosure yesterday, Okiro said, “The PSC under my watch is very meticulous in dealing with such matters (promotions) and would not be party to anything that would undermine the great efforts put in place to enthrone discipline and efficiency in the Police.

“Like you all know, the office of the Inspector General of the Police (IGP) is vested with the responsibility of recommending deserving police officers based on operational competence and vacancy to the PSC before we can consider such request.

“So, it is a fact that all those recommended by the IGP were successful, after the commission satisfied itself that they conform to the seniority order and none is having Pending Disciplinary Matters.

Continuing he said, “As it is, it has become necessary not just to debunk the continuing falsehood but to as well as graphically clear any misgivings of any deliberate slant in the exercise. The seniority list in the Nigeria Police Force which guided the Commission’s decision in the matter are incontrovertible facts that informed the following promotions in entirety.

“CP Shuaibu Gambo from Niger State was the most senior CP before his promotion to AIG. The five most senior DCPs in seniority order were promoted to substantive Commissioners of Police. One acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sahabo Abubakar Yahaya and an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aishatu I. Abubakar (PhD.) were made substantive DCPS.

“In the same vein, all the four acting Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) were confirmed as substantive Assistant Commissioners of Police. The total number of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) promoted to ACPs is 20 and based strictly on seniority order. Except for one officer who is on suspension and cannot enjoy such promotion”.

So, where then is the favoritism and distortions or discriminations in the exercise? he asked, noting, “The Commission is not unaware of some mischief makers’ ploys to cause unnecessary tension and bad blood in the Police Force, all in a bid to cause disaffection, but we all have a duty to be patriotic enough to call a spade a spade”.

On the flagrant use of policemen for domestic purposes, Okiro said, “You all agree with me that this issue has generated much uproar and even condemnation as it is capable of eroding the Public esteem of members of the NPF.

“To stem the tide, we have worked out a blueprint of the class of VIPs that should enjoy the privilege of attaching police officers to provide VIP protection with their specific duties clearly spelt out. The matter is awaiting the consent of the Relevant Authorities, before we can start its implementation.

“This policy is very critical and is aimed at enhancing the professionalism of the Police Force and rekindles the high respect the police deserve in the public eye cum image. Once the operation is fully planned out, the Provost marshal of the Police and the staff of the PSC will operate jointly and be stationed at Domestic Airports and some highways to arrest and discipline officers who embark on illegal escorts or guards.

Asked why the PSC suspended screening of 13, 600 officers with degrees and HND who were expected to be upgraded, the Chairman said, “The crux of the matter is that a total number of 13,682 claimed to have obtained higher qualification from various tertiary institutions. IGP Solomon Arase is pursuing the matter logically, which led to a meeting between the Police Management Team and the Police service Commission to sort out the issues involved.

“In the course of our deliberations, I advised that the exercise be put on hold because of mistakes identified. There will be a policy on this very soon”.

Okiro further disclosed that the PSC has established offices in some zones with the intent of extending to other areas adding that setting up of the Zonal Offices would greatly impact on the PSC service delivery, engender and fast track prompt attention to burning issue, as they arise.

“As soon as we are set, we will make public the Zonal offices addresses, where the public can have quick access to lay bare their complaints.

END.