At a glance, can you tell the difference between an officer
of the Nigeria Police and his counterparts in other parts of the world? I ask
this question with respect to uniform dressing, kits, weaponry and mode of
operation. It is no gain saying that the effectiveness of Nigeria’s domestic as
well as national security largely depends on the Nigeria police force and its
level of compliance to recommended global policing best practices in this 21st
century.
In my previous posts, I outlined some active emergency hotlines of security agencies inNigeria including that of the Nigeria Police. That information really
implies that security in Nigeria is rapidly evolving positively. At least,
during emergencies or security breach, we have phone lines to contact for
immediate attention and response by security agencies.
Let me now affirm also the Nigeria Police has also truly
evolved over the years. Now I see more patrol vehicles, newer and more decent
police uniforms, more police outposts and unit formations as well as renewed
commitment to fighting crime by the ranks in the Nigeria Police Force. Sadly,
these developments may not be enough in ensuring effective security in this 21st
century. As crime and insecurity have regrettably taken acute dimensions in
this 21st century, I expect the Nigeria police to metamorphose into
a zero-lip service, more vibrant and pro-active crime-bursting security outfit.
From the ranks to the file, the Nigeria police force should be more
result-driven with undiluted commitment to duty, sincerity of purpose and
strict adherence to professional ethics and conduct in the discharge of their
safety and security duties.
In this post, I shall
tender some ideological proposals of what the Nigeria police force ought to be
in this 21st century and also where the security outfit is presently
lacking. In as much as I salute the commitment, zeal and true spirit of
patriotism exhibited by past and present police chiefs in Nigeria, the police
can only become 21st century compliant when these same qualities
trickle down and become entrenched at the local units and smallest divisions of
the force. It is only when the local people begin to feel this positive impulse
from the local police units that the lost public confidence on the Nigeria
police can be built or restored as the case may be.
To effectively tackle insecurity, crime and general breach
of safety of lives and property in this 21st century, the Nigeria
police should rise up to the following ideologies;
Great Tact in Arrest and Suspect Handling
The Nigerian constitution stipulates that a suspect is
innocent until proven guilty by the court of law. Also, every individual is
entitled to some legal rights including respect and dignity of the human
person. Therefore the Nigeria police should ensure that all forms of physical
rough-handling, beaten and other inhuman or embarrassing treatments are
abolished entirely from the force. Unfortunately, these abuses are allegedly
and reportedly common occurrences in the rural or local police divisions, away
from the preying eyes of citizens in urban areas who can understand and defend
their rights better.
If every suspect is handled with respect and caution, the
Nigerian public will develop friendlier attitude and more willingness to
cooperate with the Nigeria police. Consequently, vital security information
sharing between the police and the public will be enhanced which will lead to
better public security and effective crime fighting in Nigeria.
Adherence to Professional Ethics, Conducts, Academic and
Psychological Development
Whether we like it or not, a police officer’s level of
education directly affects his understanding and actions in the line of
security and safety duties. It is unfortunate that most junior ranks of the
Nigeria Police force did not require a university degree to get into the police
force. Being a delicate job, how then can an average junior officer of the law
effectively manage public security as well as its attendant concerns?
Surely, dealing with such critical matters as public
security requires huge skills such as effective communication skills, social
and professional etiquette, sound psychology and rationale and many more. I
recommend that all officers and men of the Nigeria police must regularly expand
their knowledge base through avenues of personal intellectual developments.
Such avenues include but not limited to training and retraining, conventional
academic pursuits, seminars, workshops, conferences and even in-house pet
talks. There should also be a regular medical and psychological checkup for all
rank and file in all divisions and units of the Nigeria police force.
An effective public security in this 21st century
should entertain no room for lapses hence, the need to leave no stone unturned
in the development of the Nigeria police in these regards.
Uniforms, Kits and Weaponry
In line with best global practices, a police man on duty is
entitled to at least a hand or waist gun, a handcuff, a communication device to
mention but a few. But what do we see in the case of the Nigeria Police
officer? How can the Nigerian officer of the law effectively battle crime and
all forms of insecurity when an average police man only has his uniforms to
work with? I am not castigating the Nigeria police rather bringing to fore the
need to fully equip the Nigerian nation’s foremost internal security outfit. We
have seen how insecurity has become sophisticated, so should the Nigeria police
rise to the challenge for effective security in this 21st century.
In some countries of the world, two police men work as
partners and are entitled to a police patrol vehicle. This car is usually
equipped with communication devices and an iron barricade in the back seat in
case of any arrest in the course of their daily routine. In some cases, there
may be some heavier weapons like assault rifles affixed to this police patrol
vehicle in case the police officers encounter heavier security challenges that
may require such heavier weapons to dislodge. Such logistics certainly boost
the morale of security officers on duty which relates to better security and
crime control. The Nigeria police should imitate these and more for all its
officers and men in all divisions and units all over Nigeria.
Superb Welfare Package and Efficient Insurance System
This is virtually the best motivating factor for
officers and men of the Nigeria police. Being a risky job to safeguard lives
and property and to fight crime, there has to be a perfect compensation plan in
place to enable the nation’s security officers meet up with the challenges of
tackling insecurity and crime in this 21st century Nigeria. My
recommendations are endless but I think we can start from the afore-mentioned.
There is no better time to restructure the Nigeria police from its grassroots
than now. The truth is that no matter how good the security chiefs at the top
are, their efforts will amount to little or nothing if the officers and men at
the local units and divisions do not compliment with same commitment, zeal and
spirit of patriotism in the discharge of their security duties in this 21st
century Nigeria.
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