As part of measures to check rising insecurity in the face of insufficient manpower, the Nigerian Police Force has concluded plans to engage thousands
As part of measures to check rising insecurity in the face of insufficient manpower, the Nigerian Police Force has concluded plans to engage thousands of Special Constables to work with conventional policemen in communities. The recruitment of the special constables, is said to have received presidential backing and it is expected to take off in Kaduna and other northern states where the traditional emirate and district structures support the system.
The men, who will not be armed, are expected to handle charge room and administrative duties, crowd control, accident scene duties, alternative dispute resolution and other less sensitive and less risky functions. They are expected to dress in police uniform but with a different force number to distinguish them from the regular cops. Also, respectable members of the society like pastors, imams, teachers, lawyers, journalists and responsible youths would be considered for the volunteer job.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, confirmed the plan and explained that the candidates for the constabulary would be between the ages of 21-50, and must be physically fit and gainfully employed. Also, they will undergo intensive training in police colleges.
This new idea comes a few weeks after the Inspector General of Police gave directives for state commands to implement the eight hour, three shift standard. The IGP had, while ordering the change in the shift structure on April 25, explained that the increasing case of misuse of firearms by policemen could be directly linked to their work-related stress and emotional conditions, which he said affects their rationality.
