The Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Mr Solomon Arase, has requested the assistance of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in promoting a harmonious working relationship between the commission and the media. Arase made the request during an interactive session with the NUJ leadership in Abuja on Friday.

Arase stated that the mandate of the commission is to appoint, promote and discipline all police officers except the Inspector-General of Police. He added that the commission is committed to collaborating with the media to ensure proper working relationships with the commission and, by extension, the police force.

Arase revealed that he had also held similar meetings with relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless working relationship with the commission. He stated that the commission had agreed on the need for synergy between PSC, the police, and the media to ensure a properly motivated friendly working atmosphere.

According to Arase, there would be constant training between police and the media to foster an interface and ensure a proper working relationship for the good of the country. He further noted that the commission was prepared to change the negative narratives surrounding the frosty relationship that had existed between the commission and the public, adding that the commission had been very silent in recent times.

Arase revealed that the commission had observed that the faulty recruitment process of the police was responsible for some of the misconducts of personnel in Nigeria. He also stated that the commission aimed to continue its partnership with relevant stakeholders to seek ways of improving policing in Nigeria.

“If you are going to police the system very well, you need the cooperation of the public,” Arase said.

In an interaction with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, Mr Solomon Arase, Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), has emphasized the need for a harmonious working relationship between the commission and the media. Arase disclosed that the commission’s mandate includes the appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers, except the Inspector-General of Police. He assured the NUJ of the commission’s commitment to collaborating with the media to promote a proper working relationship.

Arase highlighted the importance of synergy between the PSC, the police, and the media to ensure a motivated, friendly working atmosphere. He stated that there would be constant training between the police and the media to ensure a proper working relationship for the good of the country. Arase also expressed his readiness to change the negative narratives about the frosty relationship that had existed between the commission and the public, stating that the commission had been silent in recent times.

Arase emphasized the need for zero tolerance for misconduct by personnel, adding that punitive measures had been put in place to discourage wrongdoings. He noted that some police personnel have been dismissed due to their bad behavior. In response, the NUJ President, Isiguzo, congratulated Arase on his appointment and expressed the union’s willingness to work with the commission to ensure success.

“What you’ve done today is clearly in your character. During your time as Inspector -General of Police, you carried the media along and this afternoon, you have re-emphasise your love for the media.

“We will give you all the support needed to succeed. One of the things we must take out of this meeting is a commitment to the training and retraining of police personnel,” Isiguzo said.

In order to promote a better relationship between the police and journalists, the PSC Chairman, Mr. Solomon Arase, stressed the importance of creating a platform for both parties to interface and get to know each other. He emphasized that the police and journalists were doing the same job for the betterment of the country.

However, there are rumors that the media representative will be removed from the commission, and the NUJ President, Isiguzo, appealed to the government through the PSC Chairman not to deprive the media of its representation.

Both leaders agreed to work together for the good of the police, the media, and the nation at large.