Nigerian police officers monthly salaries should
not be less than #150, 000 – Dr Donald Peterson
…Calls for a holistic reform of the Nigerian Police Force
Our crew from Ewere Okonta Blogs (EOB) spoke exclusively with Dr. Donald Peterson in his residence at Orikeze Avenue, Ime-Obi, Agbor on Sunday 25th October, 2020 where he shared his thoughts on how to reform the Nigerian Police, Police brutality, #EndSars protest, the Nigerian Police of his dream and other topical National issues.
Happy reading!
EOB: May we meet you, Sir?
Dr. Donald Peterson: My name is Dr. Donald Peterson, I’m the President/Founder of D-Peterson Foundation with its cooperate Headquarter in Agbor.
The focus of our Foundation is human capital development and capacity building in Education, ICT, Entertainments, and adding values to the lives of our people and their physical environment in pursuit of their happiness.
EOB: Sir, what do you understand by the word Police?
Dr. Donald Peterson: The word Police connotes security, peace, order, law. It is the civil force of a State, responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and the maintenance of public order.
It could also mean the coordinated action of a people to bring about peace in the society.
EOB: Briefly tell us the origin of the Nigerian Police Force
Dr. Donald Peterson: The Nigerian Police exists as a force to provide security for Nigerians.
It was established in 1930 by the colonial government.
Before 1930, we had the Hausa Constabulary, established in 1879, the Royal Niger Company Constabulary (1894), and the Lagos Police, which was established in 1896.
After Nigeria was merged in 1914, the different Police forces were also merged for administrative convenience.
EOB: Do you think the Nigerian Police is understaffed?
Dr. Donald Peterson: Yes, seriously understaffed.
Nigeria with a population of over 200 million persons, currently has a Police staff strength of about 371, 800 policemen.
That is a huge deficiency in manpower.
EOB: Can you share your thought with us on Police reforms?
Dr. Donald Peterson: Police reform is aimed at transforming the values, culture, policies and practices of Police organizations so that police can perform their duties with respect for democratic values, human rights and the rule of law.
Yes, I’m in support of Police reform in Nigeria.
But the reform should be far reaching and all-embracing. Since the establishment of the Act establishing the Police, it was only in 2004 that an amendment to that Act was made and it was not extensive enough, it only talks about increment in salaries and other less important issues.
It is just this year that another amendment was made that deals with the issue of gender balancing.
My idea of Police reform should include the following:
- Name change from Nigerian Police Force to Nigerian Police Service:
Police all over the world is a service oriented organization.
When you hear about Police brutality and SARS, they want to live up to their name “Force” but when you change their name to “Service” it will also reflect on their actions. - Entry Level: The minimum entry qualification to be enlisted into the Police should be first degree.
Let it be seen and known that an average Policeman in Nigeria is literate. - Attractive Salary Scheme: The present salary structure of Nigerian Policemen is nothing to write home about.
People protecting our lives and properties should not be treated as paupers.
In my own opinion, the salary of the least paid Police officer in Nigeria should not be less than One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (#150,000) per month.
Their salaries should be made attractive to encourage young graduates. - Life Assurance: This should be made mandatory to cover all officers and men of the Nigerian Police.
- Training: There should be a specialized training for the Police. Their training should not be like that of the military or paramilitary. You know the military is not train to read you your rights, they are trained to subdue their enemies with maximum force within the shortest possible time.
Unlike the Police, they are meant to read you your rights and ensure peace and order with minimal force.
Hence, their training should be structured in such a way that is civil, service oriented and courteous to meet the demands of a 21st century Police service. - Housing: The name Barrack should be excluded completely from the Nigerian Police lexicon and replaced with Housing Estate.
A decent Estate should be built to house all the officers and men of the Nigerian police.
More so, a retirement home should be built for them in their own village by the government as part of their retirement benefits. - Education of their Children: The Education of the children of the officers and men of the Nigerian Police should be made free and compulsory to at least first degree.
- Regular and random test for substance abuse should be encouraged at all times.
Our Police should be refined, clean and free from substance abuse.
EOB: What is your thought about Police brutality?
Dr. Donald Peterson: This is a sore development and a dent to the image of our Police Force. This could as well be attributed to improper training, lack of job satisfaction, frustration and mental imbalances of some of the officers and men of the Police force.
It should be condemned by all right thinking person in the society.
Officers who are found guilty of brutalizing their fellow citizens should be held responsible for their actions.
EOB: What is your thought about the alleged corruption in the Police Force?
Dr. Donald Peterson: It is not only worrisome but is sickening. Police men that are meant to check corruption are themselves openly engage in it that calls for a new re-orientation, a new education and a new reformed Police.
EOB: What is your view about the disbandment of SARS?
Dr. Donald Peterson: It was timely, and I must commend the Inspector General (I G) of Police, Mohammed Adamu for taking such a decisive action of disbanding it.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) a specialized unit of the Police that was meant to fight Armed robbery has now turned to a monster; molesting and extorting innocent citizens leaving their primary duties unattended to.
EOB: What is your take about the #EndSars protest embarked by the youths across the Country?
Dr. Donald Peterson: I have written several messages on Facebook about my views on the #EndSars protest across the nation. I thank God that tension has calmed down now.
It is unfortunate that what was supposed to be a peaceful protest ended up on a sad note, wherein; death and destruction of properties were recorded.
Moving forward, I believe the youths have learnt some great lessons from this experience such that when next they are planning another protest, they should keep to the rules of the engagement and carry the police along for their own protection.
EOB: Sir, what is the Nigerian Police of your dream?
Dr. Donald Peterson: The Nigerian Police of my dream is a Police that is service oriented, where all the officers and men are literate, secured, civilized, well trained, polite and dignified gentlemen.
A Police that is pro-people, friendly, smart looking and has integrity as its watch word.
A progressive and development oriented police that the citizens can be proud of.
EOB: Is nice having this interview with you, sir
Dr. Donald Peterson: God bless you, Ewere Okonta and your daughter Nma Ewere. You guys are really doing a nice job.
