Should police have ‘part-time constables’?

To check rising insecurity, the Nigerian Police Force recently concluded plans to engage thousands of ‘Special Constables’ to work with conventional policemen in communities. Some Nigerians shared their opinions with Daily Trust Saturday. Sake Steven, 32, Teacher, Bauchi State Personally, I think it is a wrong move. We are living in a technologically advanced era, […]

To check rising insecurity, the Nigerian Police Force recently concluded plans to engage thousands of ‘Special Constables’ to work with conventional policemen in communities. Some Nigerians shared their opinions with Daily Trust Saturday.

Sake Steven, 32, Teacher, Bauchi State

Personally, I think it is a wrong move. We are living in a technologically advanced era, and in advanced countries, the governments are trying hard to put in place structures that will help reduce crime using CCTV cameras and other gadgets at strategic locations. They are bringing technology into policing. So, I think it will only be proper for Nigeria to go in that direction. Take for example, our neighbouring country, Ghana which has put up such structures in places which helps them track criminal offenses in their major cities. They are trying as much as possible to extend it to other states in Ghana. Nigeria has the resources to do same.

 

Treasure Emmanuel Nelson, 33, Civil Servant, Plateau State

There is a need for the recruitment of part-time constables, first to reduce the high rate of criminality in our country and secondly, because the police are usually taken on outside duties to assist Civil Defence Corp and army when the need arises. This causes shortage of police in the country. I also think the government should impose a new strategy for the part-time police so they would be strictly on duty posts, which I call operation no transfer, no retreat, no surrender. In other words, they are not meant to be taken for outside duty. They will be at their duty posts, remain watchful and active and carry out assignments properly. No corruption and no hanging around.

 

Angela Andya, 22, Cleaner, Makurdi

I think the idea is good. Working part-time will enable them earn money through other sources genuinely. This means constables could keep more than two jobs or source for other payable businesses to do after working hours with the police. Doing so will translate to improvement in service delivery.

 

Ada Michael, 35, Businesswoman, Makurdi

It is not a good idea because some of them will go into committing various crimes to make ends meet. We are talking about people with families they need to be committed to, so care must be taken. Presently, as it is, some of them are able to save part of their salaries in monthly contributions at their different cooperative organisations to help them cater for pressing needs. But, if this preposition is now allowed to see the light of day, most of them wouldn’t be able to save money because they would no longer have to depend on monthly salaries and then, they will be tempted to go into all sorts of crime. Moreover, there will be no commitment on the part of the constables working part-time. This idea will simply encourage crime.

 

Blessing Roland Asiway, 40, Sales Employee, Benue State

The recruitment of part-time police officers is very important because the people living with us in the community know the criminal hideouts. Like the vigilantes, if they were to recruit some of them as part-time police officers, it will help a lot since they know the communities better than the conventional police who are usually posted from other places. So, I am really in support of this initiative. It is a good one.

 

Sogbade Idris, 44, Pharmacist, Lagos State

I think it is a good development because sincerely I know we don’t have enough manpower when it comes to police officers. So, if the IG is trying to increase the manpower through the part-time constables, then it is a welcome development. But when such is executed, we shouldn’t forget that the regular police officers need to be well taken care of. They need to be kitted and armed. That is key because we can’t just increase manpower without taking care of the ones we already have. Another thing I need to emphasis is the fact that people to be recruited into such programme must be known within their communities. Their character and integrity are very important.

 

Titus Yershima, 41, Civil Servant, Makurdi

The preposition is not a good idea. I think security should not be taken on a part-time basis because we are talking about the lives of people here. Doing constables as a part-time job would offer increasing opportunity for lackadaisical attitude which means the lives of people as well as property will not be safe.

 

Jonah Iorundu, 35, Civil Servant, Makurdi

I don’t see the need for part-time police constables. I say so because even at recruitment level, pecuniary gains are usually placed above merit. Today, some people who will apply for constables are graduates. Aside these concerns, it is a good idea because one can still have another job to maintain his or her family instead of staying on a particular duty post for 24-hours.