By Adewole Kehinde
“Transparency is the better part of reform.” – Abhijit Naskar
The Nigeria Police on Saturday announced that the Police Recruitment Board is to open the application portal on Sunday, October 15, 2023, marking the beginning of an essential phase in enhancing the Nigeria Police’s capabilities and effectiveness.
According to the information in the public domain, the online application portal will be opened for a period of six weeks from October 15th to November 26th, 2023, during which prospective applicants are required to complete the online application forms and submit them within the specified period.
On Monday, a major online platform reported that one Nasiru Abdullahi, who was once declared wanted by the Kano State Command, has been recruited into the force.
On Tuesday, the Kano Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, put the record straight when he told journalists in his office that Nasiru Abdullahi, described as a criminal by the online news platform, is among the 222 repentant influential youths in Kano granted amnesty by the state government.
He further stated that out of the 222 influential youths, 50 volunteered to help the police fight crime and criminal activities, of which Nasiru Abdullahi is among them.
CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel faulted reports that the Kano State Police Command was training constabularies at a training school within the command and wondered when and where the state command built a training school.
In response to criticism on the X (formerly Twitter) platform by Nigerians, the Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “They are not policemen. I was told, and it’s been in the news, that they are repentant individuals who have been mobilized into the constabulary scheme of Kano State. The Constabulary Scheme is not police but a community-based initiative.”
For the ignorant who don’t understand the differences, the constabulary scheme refers to a system or plan that establishes and organizes a group of constables within a particular jurisdiction. A constable is a law enforcement officer who typically works at the local level and has the authority to enforce laws, maintain order, and protect the public.
The constabulary scheme outlines the recruitment, training, deployment, and responsibilities of constables, aiming to ensure the safety and security of the community they serve. It may vary in different countries or regions, but the primary objective is to maintain peace and uphold the law.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun has emphasized the need for a credible, fair, equitable, and merit-driven 2023 recruitment exercise through a rigorous process that includes profiling.
We all know that profiling in recruiting police personnel refers to the process of assessing and analyzing the qualifications, characteristics, and traits of potential candidates to determine their suitability for a law enforcement role.
This includes gathering information on an individual’s education, work experience, and skills, as well as evaluating their personality, temperament, and values.
The purpose of profiling is to identify those individuals who possess the necessary qualities to excel in law enforcement, such as integrity, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to handle stressful situations effectively.
It helps ensure that the selected candidates align with the specific requirements and demands of the police force, both in terms of professional competencies and ethical standards.
Egbetokun has put in place some measures to ensure a proper recruitment exercise for police personnel in Nigeria.
They include:
1. Transparency: The IGP has said that the recruitment process should be carried out in a transparent manner, with clear guidelines and criteria communicated to all applicants. This will help to prevent favouritism or discrimination during the selection process.
2. Fairness: He also emphasized that all candidates should be treated fairly, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or gender. The recruitment exercise should be based on merit and the abilities required for the job.
3. Clear Job Description: A detailed job description should be provided to applicants, outlining the requirements, duties, and responsibilities of a police officer. This ensures that candidates have a clear understanding of what is expected from them.
4. Comprehensive Screening: Egbetokun emphasized that a thorough screening process should be conducted to assess the suitability of candidates. This will include written exams, physical fitness tests, medical evaluations, and interviews. Background checks would be carried out to verify the credibility and integrity of each applicant.
5. Training and Development: Once selected, the recruits would undergo comprehensive training programmes to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively. Regular professional development would also be provided to ensure that personnel stay updated with the latest policing techniques and ethical standards.
IGP Egbetokun emphasized that a proper recruitment exercise for police personnel in Nigeria requires transparency, fairness, clear communication, comprehensive screening, training and development, community involvement, and continuous evaluation.
He said that by adhering to these principles, the recruitment process will be more objective, credible, and successful in selecting qualified individuals for the police force.
I, therefore, called on the general public to continue to have confidence in the commitment of the Nigeria Police under the indefatigable IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, as the force continues to keep protecting lives and property in the country.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com
