GUIDELINES FOR APPOINTMENT, PROMOTION AND DISCIPLINE IN THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

PREAMBLE

With the return to democratic rule, Section 153 (1)(m) as elaborated by Part I of the third Schedule of the Constitution2 makes provision for the establishment of a Police Service Commission (PSC) as a Federal Executive Body with powers to:

(a) Appoint persons to offices (other than office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and

(b)  Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph

The Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act 2001, which came into force on 4^th January, 2001 elaborates the constitutional provisions on which the PSC is based. Section 6 (1) of the Act Provides that the Commission shall among other things:

(a)  Be responsible for the appointment and promotion of persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force;

(b)  Dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons (other than the inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and

(c)   Formulate policies and guidelines for the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of officers of the Nigerian Police Force

It is against the foregoing background that these guidelines are developed

The objectives of the Guidelines are to:

(a) Ensure that police appointment, promotion and disciplinary processes are clearly defined, fair and transparent

(b)  Ensure that appointment, and promotion in the Nigeria Police Force are based on merit and equity.

(c)   Promote fair representation of the federating units of Nigeria and the gender in the Nigeria Police Force

(d)  Ensure a reduction of human rights violation in the Nigeria Police Force and by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force

(e)   Ensure that a transparent, open and fair disciplinary mechanism exists within the Nigeria Police Force

(f)   Entrench democratic principles within the Nigeria Police Force

(g)  Promote integrity and merit within the Nigeria Police Force

These guidelines are divided into three parts

   Part 1- Appointment

   Part 2- Promotion

   Part 3- Discipline