FOR its particular focus on improving the welfare of policemen countrywide, the on-going reform of the Nigeria Police Force initiated by the Acting Inspector General, Mohammed Abubakar, deserves positive appraisal and support of all Nigerians. The police have, for long, been vilified for their inefficiency and endemic corruption, but have received little corresponding sympathy from the public for the grossly inadequate wellbeing of their personnel. Yet, it is unrealistic to expect the best of performance from an agency whose personnel are accorded a minimum remuneration package. The police authorities should take the reform all the way, and ensure that it reflects ultimately in enhanced performance of the Force.During a recent visit to Lagos State, the police boss made public some of the things he has undertaken to improve the Force, as well as those in the works. The dismantling of roadblocks is one of the steps he has taken so far. He observed that roadblocks were for specific security reasons, and should be discontinued as soon as the basis for them no longer existed. In their place, the police force have ordered 300 vehicles to patrol major highways. Since assuming office, his leadership has also stopped the attack on police stations by 'hoodlums' acting under any toga. He has commenced the building of 500 housing units for the police in Abuja. Similar housing units are being proposed for Kaduna and Port-Harcourt while the four Police Colleges in Enugu, Kano, Lagos and Maiduguri are to be rehabilitated. Also, 50,000 senior police officers would undergo training in management, intelligence and detective disciplines.The Acting IGP also indicated a moral direction for the police force when he warned that Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) would be held responsible for harassment of journalists and infringement on the rights of innocent citizens. Above all, in ways that would rebound to the welfare of the force, the IGP has also begun advocacy for an increase of police minimum wage to N50,000.The image of the police before him had been badly damaged. As it turned out, the police formation became part of the problem of society as corruption infected the entire formation. The retired Deputy Inspector General of the police and Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Parry Osayande, once underlined the corrupt nature of the force. He said police officers indulged in stealing from suspects and accident victims as well as supplying arms and ammunition to armed robbers. Besides, greed, indolence, tribalism, godfatherism, nepotism and sundry injustice crept into the force, to the extent that he wondered how the formation survived without drowning.It is in this context that the IGP deserves commendation for the efforts he has taken so far. Law and order are so fundamental in any society that it must be taken seriously. The removal of roadblocks has reduced remarkably, the level of corruption in the force and has even decongested traffic hold-ups in metropolis such as Lagos. It is important for the IGP to sustain this positive measure, and rebuff pressure to the contrary. He should also put in place an effective communication network with the commuters and the general public in cases of emergency, coupled with an effective intelligence gathering and other covert modes of operation. It is heartwarming that the IGP is treading in these directions. The intended deployment of 300 vehicles will help in dealing with the menace of armed robbery on the highways.The proposal for an increment in the minimum wage of the police is in order. Elsewhere, policemen earn good money and are motivated enough to want to give their best for their countries. A good pay package will inspire career prospects for upcoming Nigerians in the police force. Nevertheless, an increment should be done in such a way that it will not excite agitations in other sectors of society given the fact that the Federal Government is already saddled with huge recurrent expenditure.The warning to the officers and rank and file of the police to respect the rights of the citizens, though not new, is timely and will be useful to the goal of rebranding the force. Such rebranding must tug at the roots of disorientation of the force ' its perception as an instrument of repression of the people. Truly, the image of the police is sullied, so also is the image of the country. Recent human rights reports could not make much difference between violations perpetrated by security agencies and that of the so-called terrorist organisations. Police were indicted for extra-judicial killings in the country. The consequence has been loss of respect from the general public as well as dwindled confidence in the ability of the force to protect the people. Creative ways such as those initiated by the Acting IGP, to make the police force people-friendly and effective in checking criminal activities, are most welcome and should be supported by all Nigerians.
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