BASIC TRAINING COURSE . |
THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE
TOPIC OVERVIEW .
This lesson serves to give students and introduction to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
It is the first lesson and serves as a foundation and orientation for students.
It is the first lesson and serves as a foundation and orientation for students.
OBJECTIVES .
The objectives into give students a high level view of the NPF so they can understand the size, scale and responsibilities of the force
REQUIRED MATERIALS .
Students require a file and/or folder, pen and paper and this will form the basis of the student's "Best Book".
CONTENT (LESSON BODY) .
INTRODUCTION.
This serves as an introduction to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria with a staff strength of about 371,800.
There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000.
The NPF is a very large organization consisting of 36 State commands grouped into 12 zones and 7 administrative organs.
The NPF is a national body, which falls under the command of the Inspector General of Police.
Police officers are deployed in all thirty-six states, each of which is under the control of the Commissioner of Police for that specific state.
MANDATE.
The Nigeria Police Force is mandated to:
STRUCTURE.
The police force is structured into separate departments: investigations, training, works and logistics, operations, administration and finance, as well as planning, research and statistics.
AUTHORITY.
The Nigerian Police (NP) is designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country.
Constitutional provision also exists, however, for the establishment of separate NPF branches "forming part of the armed forces of the Federation or for their protection of harbours, waterways, railways and airfields." One such branch, the Port Security Police, was reported by different sources to have a strength in 1990 of between 1,500 and 12,000.
SUPERVISION.
Three major governmental agencies oversee the control and supervision of the Nigerian Police Force;
This serves as an introduction to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), which is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria with a staff strength of about 371,800.
There are currently plans to increase the force to 650,000, adding 280,000 new recruits to the existing 370,000.
The NPF is a very large organization consisting of 36 State commands grouped into 12 zones and 7 administrative organs.
The NPF is a national body, which falls under the command of the Inspector General of Police.
Police officers are deployed in all thirty-six states, each of which is under the control of the Commissioner of Police for that specific state.
MANDATE.
The Nigeria Police Force is mandated to:
- Protect peoples’ lives and property;
- Prevent, detect and investigate crime; and
- Prosecute offenders.
STRUCTURE.
The police force is structured into separate departments: investigations, training, works and logistics, operations, administration and finance, as well as planning, research and statistics.
AUTHORITY.
The Nigerian Police (NP) is designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country.
Constitutional provision also exists, however, for the establishment of separate NPF branches "forming part of the armed forces of the Federation or for their protection of harbours, waterways, railways and airfields." One such branch, the Port Security Police, was reported by different sources to have a strength in 1990 of between 1,500 and 12,000.
SUPERVISION.
Three major governmental agencies oversee the control and supervision of the Nigerian Police Force;
- The Police Service Commission. The PSC is the civilian oversight body on the police. It is responsible for appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers except the Inspector General of Police. It shall collaborate, cooperate and work with all the stake holders, namely the police council with the President of Nigeria as Chairman, all the Governors of the Federating States, the Minister Of Police Affairs and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as members to turn the police around and enable it to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
- The Nigerian Police Council. The Police Council is composed of the President, Governor of each state, Chair of the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector General of Police, and is mandated to provide general supervision of the police, to oversee its organisation and administration, and to advise the President on the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police.
- Ministry of Police Affairs. This run by a Minister who determines policed thePermanent Secretary who is responsible for policy implementation. The Ministry is responsible for budgetary matters and oversight.
ASSESSMENT .
SUMMARY & TAKEAWAY .
The Nigeria Police Force is mandated to:
- Protect peoples’ lives and property;
- Prevent, detect and investigate crime; and
- Prosecute offenders.
LOOK FORWARD TO .
The next lesson is an overview of the command and departmental structure within the NPF.