IMPROPER PROMOTION OF 140 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS BEFORE THE INAUGURATION OF THE PRESENT POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION

The
current Police Service Commission was inaugurated on the 15th of
April,2008. It held its first statutory meeting between 12th-13 May,
2008. During the meeting, members deliberated on its mandate of
appointment, promotion and discipline of all Police Officers in the
Nigeria Police Force (except the Inspector-General of Police), as well
as the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at enhancing
the efficiency and discipline of the Nigeria Police Force. At the end,
the Commission amongst other things resolved to:

I. Uphold the
rule of law and follow due process, justice, equity in all its dealings
and deliberations in line with the seven point agenda of the Yar' Adua
administration. II. Ensure that the conduct of Police operations,
respect and protect the right of citizens. III. Protect integrity and
merit in the Nigeria Police Force by ensuring that appointments and
promotions are based on seniority, and disciplinary processes are
clearly defined, fair and transparent. IV. Work with, and assist the
Inspector General of Police to maintain discipline and high ethical
standards within the Nigerian Police Force.

It also found as
very disturbing, the irregular promotion of 140 officers prior to the
inauguration of the Commission without due recourse to the Police
Service Commission (PSC) that has the statutory responsibility to do
so. The Commission notes that the special promotion was not based on
the established criteria and was a total breach of section 153 of the
1999 Constitution and the Police Service Commission Act, 2001. It has
therefore been the cause of disillusionment, agitations and
indiscipline within the Nigeria Police Force. Consequently, after due
consideration of this administration's avowed commitment to the rule of
law, and in order to guarantee a level playing field for all members of
the Police Force, the Commission re-examined the guidelines for
promotion for all the ranks ranging from Deputy-Inspector- General of
Police to constable .The guidelines include:

A. NORMAL PROMOTION

I. Seniority and merit

II. Minimum of three (3) years on a rank;

III. Must have attended the relevant promotion course and passed the prescribed examination;

IV. Must be confirmed to be in the field of selection;

V. Must have been recommended by the Departmental selection of those attending Departmental selection Board Interview;

VI. Must have good Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) grading over a period of three years;

VII.
Must not have a pending disciplinary matter, complaints or petitions of
gross misconduct such as human rights violations torture, extra
judicial killings, corruption, rape etc.;

VIII. Must have passed oral interview conducted by the Commission;

IX. Vacancy must also exist.

B. SPECIAL PROMOTION

a. Must be based on exceptional performance such as acts of gallantry and bravery
b. Must not be for merely doing their normal jobs

The
Commission observed that because the mechanism for the transparent
performance of the statutory duties of the Police Service Commission
and the Inspector-General of Police appeared to have broken down
totally at the time, issues of appointment, promotion, discipline and
appeals were unduly influenced from outside and within the Police
Force. In order to restore the broken-down disciplinary mechanism which
has sustained the Police over the years, the Commission has decided to
cancel the promotion of the 140 Officers whose promotion breached the
established criteria. Accordingly, all those affected (list attached)
should revert to their former ranks with immediate effect. Thereafter,
all those who are qualified, and meet the established criteria will be
considered for promotion on merit subject to available vacancies and
recommendation of the Inspector- General of Police. The Commission
hereby reiterates its commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police
and upholding the rule of law in all its actions and decisions.
Henceforth officers are expected to imbibe the values of honesty,
discipline, hard work and diligence as well as utmost commitment to
duty. This way, they will be assured of continuous advancement and
progress in their career based on merit. Therefore, appointments,
postings, transfers, Promotions, discipline and appeals will be based
strictly on the established guidelines, extant rules, regulations and
evidence of performance (i.e. merit). On no account will undue
interference in these matters be tolerated as the Police authority and
the Police Service Commission will not abdicate its responsibilities in
this regard.
 

Mr Parry B. O. Osayande  DIG (Rtd) CFR, OFR, NPM, mm

Chairman

Police Service Commission

5 th August, 2008.