Malik Yahya/
Seventeen senior police officers (SPOs) have been sanctioned by the Police Service Commission for Gross Professional Misconduct.
According to a statement signed by PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission has approved the dismissal of seven officers over gross misconduct, and the reduction of the ranks of 10 others.
Ani stated that the decisions were taken at the on-going 15th Plenary Meeting of the Commission which is expected to end on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.
The dismissed officers were listed as one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). A Superintendent of Police (SP) was also retired in public interest.
The Commission’s Plenary Meeting presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (rtd) considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the Commission totalling 47 and also treated some appeals from dismissed Police Officers.
The Commission reduced the ranks of one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Superintendent of Police (SP), three Superintendents of Police (SP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP).
The Commission further reduced the ranks of four Assistant Superintendents of Police to Inspectors.
Ten SPOs, including an Assistant Commissioner, a CSP, a Superintendent and two Deputy Superintendents were given the punishment of severe reprimand.
Five Assistant Superintendents were also awarded the punishment of severe reprimand.
Thirteen Officers received the punishment of reprimand; two are to receive letters of warning while four officers were exonerated.
The Acting Chairman said the Commission would henceforth give the desired attention to Pending Disciplinary Matters so that those found guilty are punished immediately while those found not guilty are cleared to continue with their career progression.
Justice Ogunbiyi called on Police Officers to ensure they operate within established rules and avoid taking laws into their hands.
She said that the Commission would continue to work to sustain a professional Police Force that would operate in line with the established rules and regulations and in conformity with international best practices.
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