PSC: Police officers who fail promotion exams three times will retire on the same rank

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has announced the abolition of special promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

The chairman of the commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd.), made the announcement while receiving a delegation of the executive of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARCON) in Abuja, on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, Argungu said promotion will now be on merit, adding that there will be written examination and interview.

He vowed that the commission would no longer be a rubber stamp for irregular means of promotion in the Nigeria Police Force.

“The Chairman of the Police Service Commission has announced that special promotions are henceforth abolished in the Nigeria Police Force.

“He declared that merit, based on the passing of the prescribed examination and other basic requirements, will now count on the promotion of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

“He noted that there is nothing like special promotion anywhere around the world, stressing that the commission under his watch will not encourage it.

“The PSC Chairman said the law, however, allows for accelerated promotion for officers who have shown uncommon dexterity in the discharge of their duties, but noted that this will be done with care so as not to abuse it,” Ani said.

Argungu added that seniority would no longer count.

“Seniority is now irrelevant in modern-day policing since any officer who fails the promotion examination will remain on the same rank, and if he fails three times, he will be retired at that level for incompetence,” he said.

The chairman insisted that the commission will no longer promote Officers who cannot pass prescribed written examinations, calling for the support of retired police officers.

He further stated that the experience of officers while in service will be valuable in this new direction, adding that he was proud of the Nigeria Police Force, which he served and retired as a Deputy Inspector General and would not at any point disappoint the force.

“A policeman is like Ceasers’ wife and should be above suspicion, and it is country first. If I die and have to come back, I will still want to be a policeman. Police are the jack of all trades and masters of all. I will not fail that institution and I will also not fail the PSC, I will do my best not to put the two institutions to shame,” he noted.

Speaking earlier, ARCON Chairman, AIG Paul Ochonu (Rtd.) said they came to extend their hand of fellowship to the commission “and pledge our unalloyed loyalty to its leadership.”

He said the association had rejoiced when both the National Security Adviser and PSC Chairman were both policemen, stressing that they hoped they would forge a united working platform with the Inspector General of Police.