Police Draw up Code of Conduct, Says I.G

 

Abubakar spoke while receiving a copy of the reviewed syllabi on police training from Mr Andreas Buam, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria.

He said the code would be inaugurated very soon.

He also said that human rights desks, to be manned by qualified personnel, would be set up in all police commands and formations across the country, to deal with human rights abuses and complaints.

Abubakar said, ``We are going to introduce human rights desk in all police commands, zonal commands and police stations all over the country.

``We will ensure that qualified personnel are posted to attend to human rights abuses and complaints from Nigerians.

``You will see a change in the mannerism and behaviour pattern of our officers and men as soon as we begin to use these syllabi.’’

The Inspector-General said violation of human rights by the police and other security agencies was a big challenge to law enforcement.

According to him, when the law enforcer becomes the law breaker, the result is an assault on human integrity, the law and public institutions.

``The effect of the violation of human rights is the gradual erosion of public confidence, ineffective prosecution of suspects, and gradual isolation of the police and exacerbation of civil unrest.''

Abubakar stressed the need for officers to conduct their duties with utmost respect for the rights of the people while investigating crime.

``As police officers, we must understand that international human rights standards exist to provide guidance for the performance of our duties in a democratic society.

``Police officers in the line of duty must, therefore, operate within the confines of the law,’’ he said.

Earlier, Buam had expressed the willingness of his country to partner with the police to respect peoples’ rights in the performance of their duties.

The ambassador said the introduction of human rights in the curriculum of police training would enhance their job and their moral and ethical standards.

Mr Parry Osayande, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), said the introduction of human rights in the syllabi would help to reduce human rights violation by the police.

He added that it was capable of increasing public confidence in them.

Reports say that the syllabi were developed by the Swiss Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Others that collaborated were the Police Service Commission (PSC) and Human Rights Commission (HRC).

The Inspector-General also inaugurated a 21-member committee for the celebration of this year's Police Day.

The committee, headed by Mr Suleiman Fakai, a Deputy Inspector-General, is charged with organising the day, drawing up its budget and identifying corporate/professional bodies to possibly sponsor the event.

The committee is also to recommend awards for serving police officers for acts of gallantry, courage and dedication.

It is also to recommend posthumous awards for officers who died in the line of duty.

Abubakar also set up sub-committees on security, finance, publicity, protocol, parade, awards, medical and committee secretariat for celebration.

 Responding, Fakai gave an assurance that the committee would excel in its assignment.