PSC Issues Warning To Police Inspectors Over Alleged Promotion-Related Bribery

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has warned police inspectors scheduled for promotion against offering financial inducements during the upcoming Departmental Selection Board (DSB) interviews.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, announced that the DSB interview for inspectors seeking promotion to the rank of unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police will be held on May 19 across the 17 Police Zonal Command Headquarters.

Ani stated that the interview is a necessary condition for the consideration of senior inspectors for promotion to the next rank.

He added that the Chairman of the Commission, Hashimu Argungu, disclosed that PSC staff would be deployed to all zonal commands to conduct the interview, in partnership with officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

Argungu warned candidates against contributing money to officials involved in the interview process, stressing that:

“The PSC chairman had warned the candidates for the interview to desist from contributing money for officials of the commission or the police who would be conducting the interview at the different zones.”

He emphasized that the Commission would take strict action against any officer or staff member found engaging in corrupt practices during the process:

“He said the commission would deal ruthlessly with any police officer or its personnel found to be involved in any way, attempting to induce or compromise the officials supervising the exercise.”

“Argungu warned that such officers would not only be sanctioned but would also be disgraced.”

He further acknowledged past instances where candidates made contributions to influence interview outcomes:

“The PSC chairman said he was aware of what was obtainable in the past, where contributions were made by the candidates for interview and handed over to the supervising officials.”

The statement stressed the Commission’s commitment to ending such practices:

“The commission would put an end to the discreditable act and ensure that the DSB was devoid of any financial inducement.”

It also reiterated that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force would henceforth be strictly based on merit and the availability of vacancies, adding that inspectors due for promotion must be prepared to:

“Face the interview panel and earn their promotion.”

— NAN