Police Service Commission (PSC), yesterday, announced the suspension of special promotion in the Nigeria Police Force. Th e police and the Commission had come under attack from diff erent quarters following allegations of bribery and discrimination in recommendations for special promotions. Chairman of the Commission, Mike Okiro (retd), who made the announcement while addressing journalists at the PSC headquarters in Abuja, said promotions are given to only deserving offi cers based on merit and through a procedure that is open, transparent and accountable. He said:
“However, given the recent avalanche of disparaging reports, comments and allegations revolving around the special promotions albeit most of which are baseless, unfounded and malicious, the commission has taken a decision to put on hold all recommendations for special promotions until further notice.” He further stated that promotions already processed: “Shall be reappraised and released at the appropriate time, or shall be referred back to the InspectorGeneral of Police to furnish the commission with details of each recommended individual offi cer’s superlative performance to qualify for special promotion. “Promotion of offi cers in the NPF is carried out using the following criteria: confi rmation of appointment, seniority, maturity, level of performance, clean record of service, passing relevant examination or interview as appropriate and availability of vacancy. “However, it is instructive to state that all over the world, high performance organisations develop robust and enduring reward systems in order to promote excellence and enhance productivity. “High fl iers whose individual or collective contributions lead to the achievement of organisational goals are identifi ed and rewarded in order to re-enforce their loyalty, dedication to duty and encourage, incentivize and motivate others to emulate such worthy behaviours.” Continuing, he said: “Th e Commission, in tandem with the IGP, is fully supportive of excellence and high-quality service in the NPF. Th e exceptional performance of offi cers who are dedicated to the service of their fatherland must not be allowed to go in vain. “Conscious eff orts are, therefore, made to identify offi cers who have suffi ciently demonstrated the desired qualities in the discharge of their assigned duties. Such offi cers may be considered for an outof-turn with others promotion, generally referred to, as special or accelerated promotions.”
