By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, has emphasized the need for mentally mobile individuals with fertile minds who can effectively relate to the public in the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force. As the screening of candidates for the next stage of the recruitment process concludes tomorrow, Dr. Arase highlighted the importance of selecting candidates who possess the necessary qualities to serve as effective police officers.
During a courtesy visit to the Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, and the Agency’s Management team in Abuja, Dr. Arase discussed the conditions needed for JAMB to conduct computer-based tests for the Constable applicants. Reflecting on his experience in the police force, Dr. Arase emphasized the significance of officers who can relate to the public, engender love and confidence, and contribute to a knowledge-based police force.
Dr. Arase called for a paradigm shift in the recruitment process, stressing the importance of attracting high-performing individuals to the police force. He expressed his belief that if 50 percent of the candidates selected in this recruitment exercise can be high flyers, it would mark the beginning of a better and more effective Police Service. Dr. Arase further stated that mentally mobile police officers would possess self-confidence and be capable of discharging their duties creditably.
In an effort to ensure the integrity of the recruitment process, Dr. Arase announced that going forward, the JAMB computer-based tests would be conducted before the screening exercises. This change aims to weed out candidates with questionable certificates who are unable to defend them. “We want to give Nigerians police officers who can hold their own, and with constant training, the sky will be their limit,” Dr. Arase declared.
The Registrar of JAMB, Professor Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, commended Dr. Arase for his leadership accomplishments and expressed his support for the PSC’s goal of delivering a new generation of qualitative police officers who will serve the nation with dignity. He advised that the recruitment exercise should consider the peculiarities of Nigeria’s diverse population and ensure the selection of the best candidates from every state and zone.
As the screening of candidates for the next stage of the police recruitment exercise draws to a close, the PSC remains committed to selecting mentally mobile and public-relatable individuals who can contribute to a more effective and community-oriented Police Service.