Extortion: PSC seeks different uniforms for Special Constabulary officers

The Police Service Commission (PSC) says it is no longer comfortable with the organisation and operations of the Special Police Constabulary across the country.

The PSC, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, on Thursday, December 28, 2023, said it has contacted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on the need to overhaul the organisation and operations of the outfit.

There have been several reports of unprofessional conduct by officers of the Special Police Constabulary, a quasi-police formation created to assist in community policing.

Their alleged unprofessional conduct ranges from high-handedness in dealing with citizens and bare faced extortion on roads and communities.

The PSC, however, called for a different set of uniforms for officers of the Special Police Constabulary that should be easily differentiated from that of the regular police officers.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Police officers caught demanding money from tourist in Oyo

This, it noted, would help to track appropriately the conduct of the Special Police Constabulary officers and that of the regular police officers and free the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from blames associated with the misconduct of the outfit’s officers.

The PSC further called for the disbandment of the outfit in states where they are not paid and taken care of, saying it was dangerous to arm a group of people and license them to provide security and maintain law and order in states and communities across the country without basic financial remuneration.

The commission added that it has observed that Special Police Constabulary officers have descended on innocent Nigerians for their daily upkeep through forceful extortion and intimidation.

Speaking on the development, the PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, said the commission will work with the leadership of the NPF to sanitise the organisation and operations of the outfit.

Arase said there was an urgent need to differentiate the Special Constabulary from regular police officers and clearly define their operations, including uniforms and rules of engagement.

The Star