The Honourable Chairman of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase, established the Compliance Monitoring Unit (CMU) to ensure that public complaints against police officers are addressed fairly and effectively. This initiative aims to empower and protect citizens’ rights and ensure offending officers are appropriately sanctioned. The unit commenced operations on August 3, 2023.
Creation of the Unit
In accordance with the mandate provided by the Police Service Commission (PSC) Act of 2001, Section 6 (a-f), the CMU was established to act as a direct interface between the public and the police. This unit allows individuals to report police misconduct, abuse of power, extortion, and other related issues in real-time. By promoting public engagement and accountability, the CMU plays a vital role in enhancing the relationship between the police and the community. This collaborative initiative, undertaken by the PSC and the Nigeria Police Authority, aims to ensure prompt service delivery and uphold the human rights of Nigerians.
Objectives of the Compliance Monitoring Unit
The primary objective of the CMU is to foster accountable policing and minimize incidents of human rights abuse, police brutality, and extra-judicial killings. The unit aims to resolve public complaints against the police promptly and, for more complex cases, forward them to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Complaint Response Unit (CRU) for thorough investigation and feedback.
Functions of the Compliance Monitoring Unit
1. Accessible Platform for Complaints: The CMU provides a transparent and accessible platform for citizens to lodge complaints against police misconduct, including inaction, abuse of power, unlawful arrest, denial of bail, demand for money before bail, harassment/intimidation, extortion, and excessive use of power.
2. Investigation and Resolution: The Unit ensures that the Police Complaint Response Unit (PCRU) duly investigates and resolves complaints received from the public against any police officer.
3. Adherence to Ethics: It ensures that complaints are handled promptly, fairly, and transparently, adhering to established rules, regulations, and international policing ethics.
4. Collaboration with PCRU: Works jointly with the PCRU in the investigation and resolution of certain complaints.
5. Tracking Complaints and Feedback: Provides a means for complainants to track the status of their complaints and receive updates on the investigation process.
6. Intervention in Professional Misconduct: The unit listens to and intervenes in complaints from the public against police professional misconduct or violations of policies and regulations.
7. Real-time Resolutions: It resolves complaints in real-time or initiates investigations, providing feedback to the complainant.
8. Policy Advice: The Unit advises the Chairman, Police Service Commission, on policies that can aid in monitoring the activities of the PCRU.
Operations and Access Channels
The CMU operates round- the- clock, addressing complaints from all parts of Nigeria, involving serving members of the NPF in incidents with Nigerian residents. Contact the CMU through the following channels for Prompt Action:
•WhatsApp & Phone: 08094767777
•Facebook: Cmu PscNigeria
•Twitter: @PSCNigeria
•Email: [email protected]
To expedite handling, complaints should include essential details such as date, time, location, and names, phone numbers, and identifiable information of the officer(s) involved.
Conclusion
The CMU has significantly bolstered public trust in the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force. It has facilitated access to justice for victims of police misconduct and continues to make impactful interventions.
As of July 2024, over 300 cases have been successfully resolved, underscoring its effectiveness in ensuring accountable policing.
Credit: This summary is provided by the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI). For additional resources, please visit AWJAI website.
