By Ngozi Nwankwo
Police Service Commission,PSC, has received in audience a delegation from the Police Veterans Foundation led by its National Chairman, DIG Mohammed Yesufu rtd.
They were received by Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni and DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, Honourable Commissioner in the Commission.
The Foundation during the visit requested for an improved retirement benefits, defined template for Police promotion, prompt disposal of Disciplinary Matters, Short course programmes for graduates and opportunity for Veterans to lecture in Police Colleges
Yesufu lamented that the pension of retired Commissioners of Police are not upto a hundred thousand Naira stressing that almost all retired Officers are currently challenged financially and needed the intervention of the Commission.
“As employers of Police and also an Agency responsible for their promotions, the Commission should also be interested on conditions of the exit from Service of their employees” he noted.
 He called for a defined promotion guidelines in the Police to stop some Officers who serve in lucrative offices from having multiple promotions that are not earned. This, he said is criminal and kills the service.
The visiting delegation also complained on the slow disposition of pending Disciplinary matters adding that the Commission should dismiss any Disciplinary matter not treated within six months so as to free Officers to move on with their careers.
The team called for another look on junior Police Officers with additional qualifications which it said should be considered for short term courses and advanced to appropriate grade levels in line with their qualifications.
They noted that the Police should also borrow a leaf from the Army that engage graduate officers through short course programmes and called for the overhaul of the Police Staff College Jos so that it can operate at the required standard.
The visiting team said the Police Veterans are ready to take up teaching appointments in Police Colleges and help grow the Police Institution. They complained of Police dressing and demanded that the Commission must do something to salvage the image of the Force.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu said the Commission will do its best to ensure transparent leadership and would consider all the issues tabled before it in the interest of moving the Force forward.
DIG Argungu said he is in the Commission to build a new Police Force that will be a pride of the nation and where the Veterans will play a great role. “We will always patner with you in all we do and will passionately consider your requests positively.