By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed four senior police officers and sanctioned 31 others in a sweeping disciplinary exercise aimed at reinforcing accountability, professionalism and discipline within the Nigeria Police Force.
The decisions were reached at the Commission’s plenary meeting in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Kalu.
The commission says the four officers were dismissed after being found guilty of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct and acts unbecoming of public officers.
As part of the disciplinary measures, 10 senior officers were demoted. Three Superintendents of Police were reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendent, two Deputy Superintendents were demoted to Assistant Superintendent, while five Assistant Superintendents were reduced to the rank of Inspector. Two other officers were compulsorily retired in the public interest.
The PSC also issued severe reprimands to 10 officers, reprimands to five others, warning letters to three officers and a letter of advice to one officer. Seven officers facing disciplinary proceedings were cleared of all allegations.
Chairman of the Commission, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, reaffirmed the PSC’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, stressing that erring officers would continue to face appropriate sanctions.
“The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers. The Commission will continue to uphold discipline in the Force and match all forms of misconduct with commensurate disciplinary actions. We will also continue to encourage and reward deserving officers for hard work through our established reward system,” he said.
The commission noted that the disciplinary actions underscore its commitment to strengthening integrity, enhancing professionalism and boosting public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
