Attention, Inspector General of Police
Police image: You are very well aware of the fact that police image is now at its lowest ebb as a result of unfortunate incidents that befell the force in recent months. In addition the sight of a police man on duty in the field is an eye-sore. For example a police man at a […]
Police image: You are very well aware of the fact that police image is now at its lowest ebb as a result of unfortunate incidents that befell the force in recent months. In addition the sight of a police man on duty in the field is an eye-sore. For example a police man at a roadblock will give you the impression of a hungry and angry man. When he stops a car he will utter words, half greeting half begging. Stretch your hand to him, he will quickly grab it and collect whatever money you offer. Mr. Abubakar it is high time this attitude is changed. We need a police man who is proud of his personality, his uniform and his duties and responsibilities; a police man who is confident and firm but friendly in dealing with the public. A no nonsense police man. To get such a police man a retraining and re-orientation programme must be designed for members of the rank and file and inspectorate at command levels and police colleges. Here agencies and institutions like Federal Government Orientation Agency, Public relation institute of Nigeria, Industrial Training fund (ITF) etc may be requested to assist in view of the number of policemen to participate throughout the country.
Corruption: You have to fight corruption in two fronts, namely within and outside the force: I mention corruption within the force because of the corrupt practices taking place in all administrative and finance offices in the commands, divisions, departments including Force Headquarters, some examples may suffice. Police men wishing to be posted from beat A to B have to grease the Palm of someone. To get an increment paid when due one has to part with some money e.t.c. as for corruption outside the force but still involving policemen are rampant at police stations, road blocks and centers where candidates for recruitment into the force are screened. For example at some police stations BAIL is still not free. At crime branch, complainant has to make a vehicle available or part with reasonable amount of money to enable investigators move out for investigation. Most of the time there are no available vehicle set aside for the job nor statement forms for recording statements of complainants and accused persons available.
Corruption at roadblocks is an open secret, policemen receive bribe from motorists in full view of passengers. Most worrisome is where drivers of private cars offer bribe and are allow to pass unchecked. That’s why the Force Headquarters suicide bomber was able to drive from Maiduguri to Abuja unchecked at roadblocks according to Boko Haram leader. Screening of candidates at command levels and at police colleges is another lucrative business. Members of public openly discuss how they push through their candidate to replace those who fail screening exercise on payment of fees. Also remember that all human beings have criminal tendencies, it depends on opportunity one has to commit a crime such as corruption, fraud, embezzlement, theft, etc. So corrupt practices do not start and end with members of the Nigerian Police Force. It is there in all segments of the Nigerian society. At present it appears as if Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB) of Nigeria Police does not exist. It should be revived and improved to assist in surveillance and undercover activities.
As I have mentioned earlier all these problems are not new to you but it is good to remind you about them as you have other major problems to fight against such as Armed Robbery, kidnapping, terrorism etc. I would however emphasize the urgent need to improve the image of the police. Aha! This reminds me about (BARE) Baton and Rifle Exercise. Is it still being taught at police colleges? BARE pamphlet teaches a policeman to aim at the knee whenever it is necessary to open fire to disable a suspect and arrest him alive so as to be able to extract information from him. But nowadays policemen shoot to kill like soldiers. This is absolutely wrong. Mr. Abubakar, initiate something about this subject of police image so that after your tenure the programme can continue until every policeman/woman is trained, civilized and become acceptable by Nigerian society. Thank you for listening, I wish you every good luck for now and the future.
You can now Fall-Out.
Mohammed is a retired Commissioner of Police.