The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Sunday, December 27, revealed that the promotion of policemen is not based on ethnic considerations.
1st News had reported that the Ohanaeze criticised the PSC for alleged bias towards Igbo Police officers in its recent promotion exercise.
However, the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement said promotions of senior police officers including promotion into the office of Commissioner of Police are based on the availability of vacancies; seniority; free of any pending disciplinary matter as well as merit; except in few cases of special promotion.
The statement reads, “The Ohanaeze noted that only one Igbo son was promoted to the rank of CP in the recent exercise; and also that all Commissioners of Police in the South East are Northerners. It also observed that not many Igbo Officers are in the high echelon of the Force.
“The Commission holds the Ohanaeze and it’s leadership in high esteem; and will wish to clarify its position in the Promotion and placement of senior Police officers.
“The Commission wishes to state that Promotions of senior Officers including Promotion into the office of Commissioner of Police are based on the availability of vacancies; seniority; free of any pending disciplinary matter and also merit; except in few cases of special promotion.
“Even for a special promotion, there are laid down rules, regulations, and conditions which an Officer must satisfy such as; must have stayed two years in a rank; must not have had any special Promotion in the immediate past five years and must not have a pending disciplinary matter, (PDM).
“The Commission also allows the Inspector General who is the operational head of the Police; to recommend qualified and deserving Officers to the Commission for Promotion. This is a synergy the Commission has forged with the Police; to ensure complementarity in the management of its Officers.
“Also, the Commission does not and has never approved Promotion of any Officer based on ethnic; or any other consideration except the ones stated above.”
“The Commission wishes to assure the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that it will at no time consciously marginalize any section of the country; in the Promotion and deployment of senior Police Officers. The Commission will continue to be guided by the established rules guiding Promotions in the police; and in the larger interest of the Nigerian nation.”
