Interagency Committee Presents Draft Police Regulations To Ministry Of Police Affairs.


The Interagency Committee, comprising the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has presented a draft of new Police Regulations to the Ministry of Police Affairs.

The presentation, aimed at seeking scrutiny and approval from the Honourable Minister, took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

The draft was delivered by Kemi Okenyodo, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, who serves as a consultant to the UNDP.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, represented by Mrs. Margarete Azeez, Director of Planning Research and Statistics, emphasized the committee’s goal to conduct a thorough and comprehensive review of the draft regulations before their final submission for ministerial approval.

Dr. Gwarzo highlighted that under Section 138 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Minister has the authority to enact regulations concerning the policy, organization, and administration of the Police Force.

This includes areas like establishments and financial matters, excluding pensions as defined by the Pension Reform Act.

“A review of the Police Regulations has become imperative,” Dr. Gwarzo stated. “Some provisions have become outdated, and others, such as training protocols, must be updated to align with current strategic legal and policy frameworks.”

The need for reform is underscored by the historical context: the last significant update to police legislation was the Police Act of 1943, with no comprehensive reforms until the 2020 Act.

The UNDP’s Police Reform Project in Nigeria aims to enhance the effectiveness of policing by modernizing and improving the institutional, operational, and reputational framework of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Kemi Okenyodo, in her detailed presentation, noted that the Police Act of 2020 necessitated updating related policies and operational guidelines, including the Police Regulation.

“A review of the Police Regulation is crucial as many of its provisions are outdated and must be realigned with contemporary legal and policy frameworks,” she said.

She identified key areas for review, such as enlistment criteria, policies concerning female police officers, the NPF Gender Policy, job descriptions, disciplinary measures, and the maintenance of registers at police stations, along with the code of conduct.

The event was attended by notable officials including Napoleon Enayaba (UNDP), Margaret Azeez (Director of Planning Research and Statistics), Fati Lamorde (Director of Legal Services), and Mrs. Edemanya Ibilola Brayila (Director of General Services), among other management staff.

LV


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