I was at the famed Police College, Kaduna September 23, 2017 to witness the Passing Out Parade, POP, of the latest batch of young men and women who in Nigeria, are variously known as, Dansanda, Dandoka, Olopa, Polize and Men on Black, etc.
By whatever name, the sight of those young men and women matching to the beat of drums and trumpets and commands of the parade commander evoked in me certain thoughts about the lot of this specie of professionals.
Th e Police personnel especially the rank and fi le cuts the picture of a slave.
Th is is on account of his or her work routines, the rigours and, the paltry wage paid at the end of the month in the name of reward for his or her services or labour.
From the day a policeman starts training as a recruit, he becomes confi ned, regimented and subjected to supervision and checks just like, the criminals he is being trained to control later on passing out.
Due to the exigencies of his duty schedules, the number of nights or leisure times he shares with his spouse is very limited.
He can only steal time once in a while escape to see the family but he must rush back to his duty post.
Th e Police rank and fi le, by law or convention, has no trade union and so adapts and bears all operational hazards and risks.
No complain, even when it hurts or danger visibly stares because, the operational rule is: “obey before complain”.
Th e witchhunt, victimization and mental frustration which the police man experiences daily, are best imagined than told.
His pay is nothing compared to the job he does.
Let alone the risk.
Th e chance of his success in life requires a miracle.
His bank account is always in the red.
Th e pressure exerted by external forces is so monumental and multi-dimensional that he must develop strong and stiff skin to ward off psychological trauma, stress and even the feeling of inferiority complex.
Th e policemen must carry on with stubbornness and ruggedness otherwise he breaks down and caves in.
Th e policeman’s enemies are numerous such that even his friends only keep his company because of what benefi ts they derive from his status and clout.
Invariably, such friends only use and dump him.
Th e attraction of people to join the police is certainly not the salary or the general conditions of service.
.
Some join the police as a chance to acquiring power and bearing the fi rearms.
Some others go into the Force due to lack of alternative careers or, simply because of the allure of the uniform.
Patriotic Policemen are scare in Nigeria today.
Th e above mentioned factors are the major causes of the unacceptable acts of some policemen.
People forget that the policeman is human being, someone with fl esh and blood who like every member of the human society can succumb to the normal human frailties, failings, desires wants.
Th erefore, the policeman is not forgiven or empathized with, whenever he gives in to the corrosive and negative eff ects of poverty.
Th e superior offi cers who understand and appreciate the condition of the rank and fi le are, unfortunately helpless.
Th ey are handicapped by the institutional limitations in place while those in the real positions to provide the panacea do neither see, appreciate nor share their visions and pains.
However, there is a shining light at the end of the long dark tunnel.
With the Police Trust Fund being driven by the present Police Management under IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris and whose bill is now passed second reading at the National Assembly, the young men and women coming out from the Police College, Kaduna last week, may not experience for too long the harrowing conditions experienced by their predecessors.
Soon, we hope to see a new Dandoka, Dansanda, Olopa, Polize or our Men in Black having a new lease of life befi tting people in that profession that, only men and women of high degree of patriotism, courage and valour go into.
Th ese are my thoughts and prayers for the Nigerian Police in general, but for the rank and fi le in particular.
Similarly, we are optimistic that, the new police man will be more accommodated, appreciated and supported by the members of the society when the concept and ideals of Community Policing being midwife by the IGP Idris come into full and practical eff ect.
Th e police would then, have his job cut out for him with the members of the public participating in the civic responsibilities of securing and protecting the society against criminals and crime.
Ahmed, a public aff airs analyst, writes from Sokoto
