Says, PSC Cannot Achieve its Mandate Without Equipping its Staff with Adequate Knowledge on Police Oversight
By Biola Lawal
Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Former IGP, Solomon Arase has declared open a training workshop on international Human Rights based policing and effective oversight for PSC Staff.
The training workshop, which began on Tuesday in Abuja workshop was organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a statement by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations (PSC), disclosed.
Arase said that the workshop was important to the PSC as it would enhance the capacity of the commission to optimally discharge its duty as the statutorily empowered executive body of government to oversight the Police.
Dr. Arase noted that ”the Commission cannot effectively deliver on its mandate if its Staff are not properly equipped with requisite knowledge on Police oversight and accountability.”
Dr. Arase, who was represented by his Special Assistant, ACP Ogbonna Nwota, said the training programme would help in repositioning the Commission towards greater efficiency and effectiveness in the discharge of its duties.
He observed that the Nigeria Police Force as the primary Agency of Government empowered for the maintenance of law and order in our society “in the course of performing these statutory functions had often times been accused of corruption, high-handedness, biased investigation and infractions of human rights of the people”.
The PSC Chairman said that the Commission appreciated the need to be effective as the essence of an oversight body over the Police in Nigeria as it is obtainable in other climes in line with international best practices.
Dr. Arase said ”oversighting the Police aimed at ensuring transparency, effectiveness, legitimacy, responsibility and accountability of the Police to the Policed”.
He implored the staff to be attentive during the training and ensure “you learn, re-learn and unlearn (if need be) different issues and nuances on human rights and policing in our contemporary society.
He expressed appreciation to the International Council of Red Cross for collaborating with the Commission and assisting “us train our staff. ”
” Your collaborative efforts in the Commission, in rebirthing a Police Force in Nigeria that is accountable, responsible and carries its duties in adherence to global best practices and respect for human rights is commendable and appreciated,,” the PSC Chairman stated. (Flowerbudnews)
