Poor compensation

•This is bad for motivation in the police force as elsewhere

We cherish and respect the supreme sacrifice that those officers made to the command, in particular, and the nation at large.” These words were attributed to the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Police Command, Ibrahim Kabiru, who presented cheques worth N7.38m to families of six police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The event at the Kebbi State police headquarters on November 22 contradicted what the police boss said. The compensation cheapened the lives of the dead police officers. The money given to the affected families, ostensibly to cushion their loss, amounted to disrespect to the dead as well as the living.

It is not clear how the compensation was to be shared among the affected families, but it is obvious that however the money was shared would amount to shortchanging the families. It is also unclear how the compensation was calculated.

Kabiru was quoted as saying that the cheques were presented “by the Inspector-General of Police through the welfare scheme and the group life assurance policy to the families of officers who died in active service in this state from 2016 to 2018.” He added: “The IGP, Ibrahim Idris, is committed to improving the welfare of officers. He has introduced several welfare packages for the police, among which are the group assurance policy and the IGP Family Welfare Scheme to take care of the welfare of serving personnel and the families of deceased officers.”

If the police welfare scheme can’t do better than the compensation given in this particular case, then it needs to be reimagined and reviewed. Welfare issues are among major factors that encourage police extortion. Police extortion is particularly unjustifiable and inexcusable because the police are supposed to enforce the law and not to break the law. It amounts to tragic role subversion when policemen become extortionists.

Police funding is a big issue. Last year, at a public hearing on a “Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Police Reform Trust Fund and for other related matters,” Idris had argued that “the regular budgetary allocation to run the police is sharply inadequate and requires urgent measure to address, if the Force must be effective and responsive to the security needs of Nigerians in a complex and dynamic policing space…The Police Trust Fund is the answer because it would provide alternative and regular funding for the police.”

It is commendable that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a new salary package for police personnel. Hopefully, the new salary structure would go a long way in solving the identified police welfare problems. Buhari’s approval of Rank Salary Structure Adjustment, by which salary, allowances and pension of police officers will be increased, is a sign of improvement.

It is reassuring that Buhari promised that his administration would continue to give attention to the welfare and operational needs of the Nigeria Police Force towards restoring its role in the country’s internal security framework. Buhari observed: “From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-south, people don’t feel secure until they see the military. I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security system.”

Against the background of the improved welfare package, the police authorities should re-examine the compensation package for families of personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.  The Kebbi State example is a discredit to the police leadership.  Human life is invaluable. When police personnel lose their lives in the course of their work, compensation to their families must go beyond tokenism.