The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, who formally assumed office on Thursday, has said he would ensure cordiality in the oversight relationship between the commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
He also demanded the support of the media to foster unity between the PSC and the NPF.
Arase, a former Inspector-General of Police, who pledged to address the rift existing between the PSC and the NPF in recent times, noted that the issue of security sector reform was uppermost on the list of his agenda at the commission.
The PUNCH reports that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had on January 24, 2023, appointed Arase as the new chairman of the commission following the resignation of its former chairman, Musiliu Smith, who is also a former IGP.
The new PSC boss took the oath of office on Wednesday at the council chambers before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting, two months after the Senate confirmed him as chairman of the commission.
Addressing journalists at a media parley in his office on Thursday evening shortly after assuming office, the former IGP requested stronger cooperation between the media and the police force with a view to changing the public’s negative narratives about the police in the country.
He noted that the media would be given easy access to needed information to be able to support the police force in positive light, adding that the police force is supposed to be a “Nigerian Police Force,” where citizens can critique and also proffer solutions to solving the problems.
Arase said, “I did mention yesterday (Wednesday) that there is going to be some paradigm shift in our relationship and oversight function with the Nigeria Police Force. Most of the things we have had in recent times are disquiet about the relationship when it comes to who has the responsibility to do one thing or the other.
“One major aspect that we have not talked about is the issue of security sector reform and that is where I am going to seek your cooperation to see how we can charge up our relationship.
“We have been dealing with issues of public negative perception and I want you to change your approach towards reportage of the policing activities in the country.”
