APPRAISAL OF THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF CIVILIAN OVERSIGFIT OF POLICE IN NIGERIA

At their nascent stage of development, early societies did not require police for security of lives and property. However, as civilization assumed some measure of complexities and sophistication the need for police became a desideratum. Police is the societal answer to social deviance and a check on criminal activities. However, realizing their own importance and indispensability, the police went beyond safeguarding social order to act in excess of their authority. To checkmate these excesses and abuse of powers modern societies decided to set up civilian oversight bodies. The key mandate of civilian oversight bodies is to serve as complementary to police internal disciplinary mechanism. This study is on the appraisal of the legal framework of the civilian oversight of police in Nigeria. The statutory name is Police Service Commission. The research methodology* adopted is the doctrinal research approach which is majorly used for legal research. It draws from available legal instruments, existing literatures, public service rules and government circulars. Accordingly, no field work for purposes of gathering data was undertaken. The legal framework of the Commission rests on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended), the Commission’s Establishment Act, judicial decisions and policies formulated by its Management. Its mandate consists of recruiting persons into the Nigeria Police Force, promotion of such persons and exercise of disciplinary control over the officers of the police. In carrying out its functions the Commission has formulated Guidelines and policies. However, it faces stiff challenges in its effort to deliver on its mandate. The challenges come in various forms: resistance by the police, conspiracy by politicians, inadequate resources, faulty leadership recruitment and lack of political will to resist external influences on the discharge of its functions. On a comparative analysis the Commission’s conceptual framework tallies with that of some notable countries such as the United Kingdom, the United Slates of America, India and South Africa. It is imperative to avoid appointing a retired police officer as its chairman.