The Police Service Commission, on Tuesday, announced the abolition of special promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.
The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), announced this when he received a delegation of members of the executive of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria at his office in Abuja.
A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, assured that the Commission will no longer be a rubber stamp for this irregular means of promotion in the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement read, “The Chairman of the Police Service Commission has announced that special promotions are henceforth abolished in the Nigeria Police Force.
“He declared that merit based on passing of prescribed examination and other basic requirements will now count on the promotion of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force.
“He noted that there is nothing like special promotion anywhere around the world, stressing that the Commission under his watch will not encourage it.
“The PSC Chairman said the law, however, allows for accelerated promotion for Officers who have shown uncommon dexterity in the discharge of their duties but noted that this will be done with care so as not to abuse it.”
The chairman added that “promotion will now be on merit, and there will be written examination and interview “.
He also said seniority would no longer count.
“Seniority is now irrelevant in modern-day policing since any officer who fails the promotion examination will remain on the same rank and if he fails three times, he will be retired at that level for incompetence.”
DIG Argungu insisted that the Commission will no longer promote Officers who can not pass prescribed written examinations. He called for the support of retired Police Officers, adding that their experience while in service will be valuable in this new direction.
He said he was proud of the Nigeria Police Force, which he served and retired as a Deputy Inspector General and would not at any point disappoint the Force.
“A Policeman is like Ceasers’ wife and should be above suspicion, and it is country first. If I die and have to come back, I will still want to be a Policeman. Police are the jack of all trades and masters of all. I will not fail that institution, and I will also not fail the PSC. I will do my best not to put the two institutions to shame,” he noted.
The Chairman of the Association, AIG Paul Ochonu (rtd), had earlier told the PSC Chairman that they came to extend their hand of fellowship to the Commission “and pledge our unalloyed loyalty to its leadership”.
He said the association had rejoiced when both the National Security Adviser and Chairman of the PSC were all policemen, stressing that they had hoped they would have forged a united working platform with the Inspector General of Police.