PSC scraps special promotion for police officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the scrapping of special promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), made the announcement when he received a delegation of the executive of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria in Abuja.

A statement by the PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, quoted Argungu as vowing that the commission would no longer be a rubber stamp for the irregular means of promotion in the NPF.

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 the passing of the 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.'

“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.“

 He called for the support of retired Police Officers, adding that their experience were valuable assets in this new path.

The Chairman of the Association,  AIG Paul Ochonu (retd.), 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.”