Often, people complain about police officers misbehaving and acting illegally against them on social media but, at the end, do nothing than rant and move on. Only a few know, that they can make formal complaints against injustices perpetrated by law enforcement agents.
It is possible to report a police officer for misconduct to the Nigerian Police Service Commission which by virtue of its establishment Act; Section 153 of the Nigerian constitution and Police Service Commission Establishment Act 2001, has the power to discipline every police officer under the Nigerian Police Force except the Inspector-General of Police.
Section 131 of the Police Act provides that the Inspector General of Police is to create a Police Complaints Response Unit at the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force where a complaint can be made against any officer found to have compromised on the rules of engagement of the Force.
Offences for which disciplinary action may be taken against an officer of the force are divided into two; minor and serious offences. A minor offence or misconduct shall include any act, wrongdoing or omission of which the prescribed punishment in case of conviction in a criminal proceeding does not exceed a term of six months and such includes improper dressing, driving police vehicles when not properly dressed, lateness to duty, incivility to members of the public, smoking in prohibited areas, drinking alcohol while on duty and disregard for general rules and regulations, among others.
Categories of punishment for minor offences include warning, minor fees, confinement to barracks, compulsory community service and extension of work hours.
For major offences, Section 131 of the Police Act provides that the complaint unit established by the Inspector General of Police shall receive a complaint alleging that the conduct of an officer of the force resulted in death, serious injury or gross violation of human rights. It can also receive complaints showing that an officer has committed a criminal offence. These allegations are to be investigated by the police complaints response unit.
The police officer that has a complaint made against him shall be allowed to defend himself and the complaint unit is to conduct its investigation within 21 days from the day the complaint was made and forward the report to the Inspector General of Police or the Police service Commission of the state through the Public Relations Officer in the state or the Public Relations Officer in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Inspector General of Police, upon receiving reports of the investigation and recommendations, will send them to the Police Service Commission for proper disciplinary action.
The police response complaint unit does not affect the right of an aggrieved individual to seek legal remedies in the court of law against an officer of the force.
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