The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu, has reiterated the Commission’s commitment to building a professional and ethical Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on Wednesday at a Strategic Leadership and Change Management Retreat for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Abuja, Argungu said the PSC’s core mandate of appointment, promotion and discipline was “fundamentally geared towards one goal – building a professional and ethical Police Force.”
He stressed that promotions within the Force must be based on merit, integrity and professional competence, while disciplinary measures would be applied firmly and fairly.
He also noted that the Commission was advocating better welfare and working conditions for officers, saying, “it is difficult to be ethical when under immense financial pressure.”
Argungu assured the participants that the PSC would continue working with the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure ethical officers are recognised, rewarded and protected.
Delivering a lecture titled “Ethics and Professionalism: Bedrock of Policing Code of Conduct” at the National Institute of Police Studies, Life Camp, Abuja, the PSC Chairman underscored the importance of ethics in policing. “Ethics and professionalism are the bedrock of policing code of conduct,” he said. “They are foundational to building public trust, ensuring policing legitimacy, upholding the rule of law and maintaining accountability.”
He emphasised that police officers, as public servants with immense authority, must adhere to strict ethical codes to function effectively and fairly in a democratic society.
Argungu also highlighted the unique role of the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s most visible government security agency. “When government offices close, the Nigeria Police Force becomes the roving representatives of the government who assist people with problems no one else is available to handle,” he said. “People sleep peaceably at night only because the police stand ready to patrol on their behalf.”
Tracing the standards of conduct expected of officers, Argungu listed prompt obedience to lawful orders, incorruptibility, strict adherence to proper behaviour, and pride in appearance both in and out of uniform as hallmarks of professionalism.
The retreat, organised by the Police Reform Secretariat in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), CLEEN Foundation, GS-Foundation, the Federal Foreign Office and the Nigeria Police Force, brought together key stakeholders to strengthen leadership and ethics within the Force.
