PSC CHAIRMAN ARGUNGU OUTLINES QUALITIES NEEDED IN NIGERIA’S POLICE OFFICERS
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
The Chairperson of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu, has delineated the essential attributes needed for officers in contemporary Nigeria, emphasizing that law enforcement officials must possess a solid grasp of the law, police regulations, and directives, while also exemplifying efficiency, courtesy, tact, integrity, and neutrality.
Argungu conveyed this message while addressing attendees at a prestigious workshop in Abuja, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), development partners, and the administrations of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. The workshop centers on “Ethics, Mental Health and the Future of Policing and Security in Nigeria,” with the theme “Command Leadership for Ethical and Trauma-Informed Security Response. ”
He pointed out that the emerging threats to policing in Nigeria are no longer predominantly influenced by traditional factors such as unemployment, poverty, and out-of-school children, but increasingly by digital and societal dynamics.
Argungu highlighted the significance of ethics training, characterizing it as the cornerstone of professional demeanor. “Ethics training will aid police departments in recognizing their full capacity, as officers wield considerable discretion in enforcing the law at the appropriate time and location,” he stated.
Regarding recruitment, the PSC Chairperson emphasized the necessity of medical fitness for applicants, asserting that health screenings must evaluate for deformities, speech impairments, jaw or dental dysfunctions, flat feet, deformed limbs, poor eyesight, amputations, and other conditions that could inhibit effective performance.
He also pointed out the influence of stress on policing, connecting it to operational factors such as trauma and hazardous incidents, organizational issues like inadequate leadership and staffing, as well as personal and external stressors including financial difficulties and familial pressures. He cautioned that these factors could lead to burnout, depression, substance abuse, or even suicide.
Looking forward, Argungu recognized social media and digital platforms as emerging threats, with the potential for misuse in disseminating propaganda or mobilizing troublemakers for destabilizing activities. He stressed the necessity for police officers to be trained in identifying cybercrime and understanding how technology impacts businesses and daily life in the 21st century.
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