Police Commission seeks to delegate powers to Inspector General of Police

Inspector General of Police may soon have powers to promote junior officers if the proposed regulations are adopted.

Draft regulations by the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) proposes that promotions from the rank of police constable to superintendent be delegated to the Inspector General.

"Promotions from the rank of Police Constable through to the rank Superintendent may be delegated to the Inspector-General in accordance with Section 10(2) of the National Police Service Commission Act," reads part of the regulations.

For promotions above superintendent, NPSC proposes that it be the one doing the work.

"For avoidance of doubt, promotions of the ranks above superintendent shall not be delegated, and shall be proposed by the Inspector General of Police and recommended to the commission in writing for determination," the regulations say.

The regulations are being reviewed by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution, which has asked for public participation in the review. The public have until February 10, to send its views.

Constitutionally, it is the NPSC that has the powers to recruit, determine promotions and transfers within the police service.

The proposed changes also state that the IG shall establish boards, known as Service Promotion Boards, to advise the commission on issues relating to promotions.

The boards shall also be tasked to introduce mandatory performance appraisals to establish a reliable track record of individual police officers for promotion.

"In order to assess whether an officer qualifies for promotion, there shall be regular, mandatory performance appraisals in order to establish a reliable track record of an individual member of the National Police Service," reads the draft regulations.

They state that to be considered for transfer, an officer shall have served in a duty station continuously for at least one year and at most three years.