7 things you need to know about Police Reform Bill

Sequel to its resolution last week, the Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday,
passed for Second Reading, a bill to repeal and re-enact the Police
Act of 1943.

The Senate had, in its resolution last week, directed its
constitutional review committee to put in place the machinery to amend
the Constitution to allow for the creation of State Police and
mandated that the Police Reform Bill be passed.

The current Police Act of 1943 , which has been in existence for over
70 years without any amendments, is being repealed and re-enacted to
meet the current security challenges of a changing nation.

The following are highlights of the Senate's repeal and re-enactment
of the Police Act of 1943.

1. The establishment of a service-oriented and modern Police that will
meet globally acceptable policing standards in a democratic setting.

2. The modernization of the current Police Force (which was
conceptualized and established in the Colonial environment to protect
colonial interests) with a Police Force that is geared towards
protecting and safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerian
citizens.

3. The establishment of guiding principles to ensure effective
policing in Nigeria. These principles include: efficiency and
effectiveness; accountability, and transparency; protection of human
rights and fundamental freedoms; and partnership with other security
institutions.

4. Methods of dealing with abuse of weapons by police officers. The
Bill also ensures that the police and police officers are held
accountable in their actions especially in the areas of arrest and
detention of persons and searches.

5. Clauses that mandate record keeping by the police and clauses that
ensure that citizens are fully protected from abuse by Police
officers.

6. The establishment of a Community Police and Boards in all the
States of the Federation that will consist of broad representatives of
the community and the State to ensure effective, efficient and
participatory community policing.

7. The establishment of an independent complaint authority to receive
and investigate and effectively deal with complaints against police
officers' misconduct from the public.

The Bill has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Police
Affairs for further legislative action.