Recruitment of Constables, Inspectors, And ASPs Remains Our Constitutional Responsibility, Not IGP’s- PSC

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has stated that the recruitment of Police officers from the rank of Constables to Inspectors and Cadet ASPs remains its constitutional responsibility and at no time surrendered the mandate to the Nigeria Police Force.

“This, it will never contemplate,” the Commission stated.

The Commission said this after its staff forcefully locked up the offices and chased away staff on legitimate duties over an allegation that the Commission handed over the responsibility to recruit Police Officers to the Inspector General of Police. Other issues raised by the staff were the delay in the conclusion of the 2021 staff promotion and training of staff.

In a statement on Saturday, titled, ‘Re: Workers protest Police recruitment, shut down PSC’, the Commission’s Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, asserted that the management of the Commission has no intention to abdicate this constitutional responsibility.

“It is necessary to state, unequivocally, that the recruitment of Police Officers from the rank of Constables to Cadet Inspectors and Cadet ASPs is and remains the Constitutional responsibility of the Commission, and this was also affirmed not long ago by a judgement of the Federal Court of Appeal. The management of the Commission has no intention to abdicate this constitutional responsibility.

‘It should be noteworthy that the management had a few weeks ago addressed the staff on this matter and had also followed up with contact with the Inspector General of Police to explain issues arising from the preparation for the conduct of the 2021 Recruitment process.

“The Management is currently taking up the recent announcement by the Police, of Screening dates for the 2021 Constable Recruitment, and will ensure that the Constitutional responsibilities of the Commission are not hijacked.

“Management will insist on keeping to existing clearly defined roles for all parties including the PSC, NPF, Federal Character Commission and state Governments.

“The Commission will drive the 2021 Constable Recruitment in line with Constitutional provisions,” the statement read in part.

On 2021 staff promotion, the Spokesperson said that the management would approve the recommendation of its Standing Committee on Establishment at its next Plenary meeting.

He added that the management has no problem with training of staff on Police Recruitment and will not stand against any reasonable recommendations on that.

Meanwhile, the management is appealing to its staff to reconsider their combative approach and join hands to realize the earliest resolutions of the matter according to the constitution and current judgement of the Court of Appeal.