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Police Commission, CLEEN Foundation Partner On Election Sensitisation

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya
28 March 2015   |   5:47 am
TO ensure maximum service delivery of the Police in the 2015 elections beginning in the country today, the Police Service Commission held a sensitisation programme for members of the public on the mandate of the commission and the need for accountability of police officers.
IGP-Abba-2

IG Abba, of the Nigerian Police Commission

TO ensure maximum service delivery of the Police in the 2015 elections beginning in the country today, the Police Service Commission held a sensitisation programme for members of the public on the mandate of the commission and the need for accountability of police officers.

The one-day sensitisation programme was organised by the commission in Lagos last Monday in collaboration with CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

Vice Chairman of CLEEN Foundation, Frank Odita in his welcome address at the occasion read by Barbara Maigari, noted that the event was meant to sensitise the people on the mandate of the Police Service Commission, which plays an oversight function in monitoring police officers to ensure accountability of the force to the civilian populace, as well as enable members of the public know what police officers on electoral duty should do at every polling unit.

Odita stated that the involvement of CLEEN in the programme was part of its commitment to the promotion of public safety, security and accessible justice in the country, which it does through empirical studies, legislative advocacy, and demonstration activities in partnership with government agencies, organised private sector and civil society groups.

He called for building of public trust and strengthening of good practices in the police, while commending them when necessary and identifying the challenges that need to be addressed to bring out the best in police officers. A Commissioner in the Police Service Commission, Hon. Justice Olufunlola Adekeye JSC (Rtd), in her address noted that the commission is one of the election observer groups, and it became necessary to hold the event because a lot of people do not know the mandate of the commission.

Adekeye presented the mandate of the commission, which include formulating policies and guidelines for the appointment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of officers of the Nigeria Police Force; identifying factors inhibiting or undermining discipline in the Nigeria Police Force; formulating and implementing policies aimed at enhancing the efficiency and discipline in the force; and performing such other functions which in the opinion of the commission, are required to ensure the optimal efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commissioner noted that the commission is faced with challenges such as inadequate office accommodation, shortage of manpower, lack of effective training, and lack of response from the police and financial constraints, which are all factors that affect its operations.

She highlighted the relevance of a policing system that is accountable as it produces a better society, an understanding that has made it possible to make police officers undergo training that has made them improve tremendously in the discharge of their duties. Adekeye informed the public how to lay complaints and appeals by police officers to the commission.

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