PSC bans special promotions in police

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), reiterated today that the days of special promotions in the police are over.

Argungu spoke on Tuesday when he received a delegation of the executive members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria.

He announced that special promotions are henceforth abolished in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

He received the delegation in the company of DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), a Commissioner in the Commission.

DIG Argungu stated that the Commission would no longer be a rubber stamp for this irregular means of promotion in the police.

He declared that merit, based on passing the prescribed examination and other basic requirements, would now be the basis for the promotion of police officers.

He noted that there is no such thing as special promotion anywhere in the world, stressing that the Commission, under his watch, would 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 would be done with care so as not to abuse it.

He said, “Promotion will now be on merit, and there will be a written examination and interview.

“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 would no longer promote officers who cannot pass the prescribed written examinations.

He called for the support of retired police officers, adding that their experience while in service would be valuable in this new direction.

He expressed pride in the police, in which he served and retired as a Deputy Inspector General, and assured that he would not, at any point, disappoint the Force.

“A Policeman is like Caesar’s wife and should be above suspicion. It is country first. If I die and have to come back, I will still want to be a Policeman. Police is a jack of all trades and a master 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 (), 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 rejoiced when both the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Chairman of the PSC were policemen, stressing that they had hoped they would forge a united working platform with the Inspector General of Police.

AIG Ochonu said, “The trio, working as a team, is capable of getting the best for the Nigeria Police Force.”

He urged the PSC Chairman to forge a very positive, progressive, and forward-looking partnership with the Nigeria Police High Command, “a relationship that will not only benefit the two Federal Agencies but will greatly enhance the gains the general public yearn for and will enjoy.”

He also requested that the PSC Chairman promote purposeful working synergy among the three heads of the Police, the Commission, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“The Police Force and its personnel stand to benefit immensely when the three of you jointly make a case for it on any subject matter to the Federal Government,” he told his host.