By Hillary Asemota
The Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, the United States (US) Director for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Mr. Jason Smith and the United Kingdom’s (UK) representative of the National Agency Anti-Kidnap and Extortion Unit (AKEU), Mr. Chris Grimson on Thursday explored path to emplacement of rule of law in the rank and file of the Nigerian Police Force.
After an exhaustive brainstorming session, Arase, led the delegations to the Commission’s newly established Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU): a tracking device for public complaints against serving police officers even as he added that the platform the Commission to drastically reduce human rights abuses.
Against the background of emplacing rule of law, the PSC chair was emphatic that the Commission is determined and exploiting every available opportunity that the Nigeria Police Force respects the human rights of its citizens.
Arase, said the Commission decided to set up the Compliance Monitoring Unit to ensure that the rights of the citizens are protected and offending Police Officers sanctioned for misconduct, explaining that the leadership of the Commission and the Police are united in the fight to stamp out human rights abuses in the Country.
The PSC Chairman assured that there would be no conflict between the Commission and the Police Management on the operations of the Compliance Monitoring Unit.
He however frowned at pre-trial detentions by the Police, noting that the Commission will no longer tolerate detentions beyond what the law provides for.
He declared that the Commission wants to track complaints against Police stressing that any Officer who has pending human rights cases will not be cleared for promotions or postings.
He said: “Any Officer who has human rights issues not conclusively investigated by the Police Complaints Unit will be stepped down from promotion and postings.”
He called for assistance in the provision of more systems for the CMU as the Commission anticipates several complaints against the Police as the Unit takes shape.
Smith, leader of the US delegation said they are in Nigeria to assist in strengthening the rule of law especially as regarding the Police and civilian relationship.
He noted that PSC is a key stakeholder in their project to strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria and promised to work with the Commission for positive result.
Grimson, in a remark, promised to partner the Commission in the training of the personnel of the Nigeria Police.
He spoke on intelligence gathering and sharing, proper investigation so as to break down barriers between the Police and other security agencies in the country.