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The Police Service Commission (PSC) has recently approved a set of policy guidelines regarding the deployment of Management and Tactical Commanders within the Nigeria Police Force. This move aims to ensure a fair and gender-sensitive approach to the deployment of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) across various zones and state commands.

In a statement released by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, it was revealed that the commission has mandated the Police Force to adhere to the principles of federal character in recruitment at all levels. This principle will also guide the deployment of personnel at both management and tactical levels, assuring balance, equity, and fairness within the system.

During the 21st Plenary Meeting, chaired by PSC chairman Solomon Arase, it was observed that the current deployment of CPs to state commands did not adequately reflect the principles of equity and fairness, especially towards the North East and South East geopolitical zones. In an effort to address this issue, the commission unanimously agreed that a fair representation of all geopolitical zones should be considered in future deployments, aiming to eliminate any sense of marginalization and injustice.

Furthermore, the commission has mandated that all geopolitical zones in the country must have a minimum of 15 percent representation in the deployment of AIGs to zones and CPs to states. This requirement also extends to the posting of Commanding Officers of Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism CTU, and Special Protection Unit, SPU.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of recognizing the heterogeneity of the country and ensuring fairness and equity in terms of ethnicity and religion in all deployments to zones and commands at both management and tactical levels. This directive serves as a guide to the Inspector General of Police (I-G) in the execution of his duties.

A crucial aspect highlighted during the deliberations was the underrepresentation of qualified female police officers in deployments to zones and commands. The commission voiced concerns that the continued practice of deploying only male officers could create the perception of the police as a gender-unfriendly organization, lacking inclusivity in governance. In response, it has been mandated that at least three state commands out of the 30 commands must have female police officers serving as CPs. Similarly, at least one zone out of the 17 Zonal Headquarters must have a female AIG leading the operations.

This move by the Police Service Commission underscores its commitment to creating an equitable and diverse police force that serves the needs of all Nigerians. By implementing these new guidelines, the PSC aims to address issues of imbalance, marginalization, and injustice, while promoting gender inclusivity and fostering a sense of unity across all regions of the country.