The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to look into the physical fitness of his men to arrest the growing population of pot-bellied officers.
He gave the order at the inaugural meeting between members of the Commission and the IGP in Abuja Friday.
According to a statement by the Commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, emailed to Apex News, the Chairman conveyed the Commission’s position on the current state of the Nigeria Police and steps to salvage its dwindling image.
He also said the Commission will no longer consider officers recommended for promotion that have not attended requisite training programmes and passed prescribed examinations required for their next rank.
Smith lamented that promotion courses have been jettisoned in the Police Force with Officers enjoying several promotions without attending the expected training programmes attached with each rank.
The statement explained that henceforth, one of the conditions for promotion must be attendance and passing the senior Command Course for senior officers and other prescribed courses for others.
He spoke on Police postings and frowned at the rampant and irregular postings of officers, stressing that an Officer should be allowed to stay at a new post between two to three years.
The Chairman expressed displeasure on the long stay of Officers posted to the Police Mobile Force, where he said some Officers overstay. He called for a stop to the practice.
The PSC Chairman also expressed concern at the indiscriminate conversion of Police Specialists to General Duty without due consideration to their valuable role in the Force.
He directed the IGP to revisit recently carried out conversions, and return them to their special departments they belong to adding that new nominal roll will soon be demanded.
Smith spoke on Police uniform and called for a harmonized method of producing them so that it will be the same from a reputable source.
He made a case for a standard and modern barracks which he said will enhance effective community policing.
Speaking at the meeting, the Inspector General reaffirmed his firm determination to transform the Nigeria Police to a more people-friendly, disciplined, effective and efficient police Force bearing in mind the change agenda of Mr. President.
He urged the Chairman of the Commission to use his good offices and to get assistance for the Police from the federal government to enable the Force surmount some of its encumbrances.
