Mohammed Tsav, the son of the former Commissioner of police of Lagos state, Abubakar Tsav has called on the Inspectors General of police to improve the welfare of serving and retired police officers in the country saying what is currently obtainable is a national disgrace.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, Tsav whose father served in Lagos in the hey days of National Democratic Concern (NADECO) said the police as a vital institution deserve to be treated better.
He lamented that police officers are “subjected to conditions that fall woefully short of any humane or internationally recognized standards.”
“I express my deep concern and disappointment over the deplorable welfare conditions of serving and retired police officers. The current state of affairs is unacceptable and demands immediate attention,” Tsav noted.
He therefore proposed a six point solution to the IGP namely:
- Immediately review and significantly improve the salaries and allowances of all serving police officers to be commensurate with the economic realities and hazards of their profession, bringing them abreast with international policing remuneration standards.
- Overhaul the current pension scheme for retired police officers, ensuring that they receive dignified and adequate benefits that truly reflect their years of dedicated service and allow them to live comfortably in retirement. This should include revisiting the current contributory pension scheme and exploring alternatives that offer greater financial security.
- Prioritize and expedite the provision of modern equipment, adequate housing, and comprehensive healthcare facilities for all police personnel and their families.
- Establish a transparent and accountable welfare department dedicated to addressing the needs of police officers and their families, both serving and retired, with regular updates and feedback mechanisms.
- A comprehensive group life insurance policy is taken out for serving police officers in case of death in the course of policing service.
- The issue of police uniforms, gadgets, and stationery should be issued only from the official police stores and not sold on the streets by civilians.”I expect to see a demonstrable commitment to addressing these critical issues with the urgency and seriousness they demand. Failure to act decisively will only further erode public confidence and perpetuate the cycle of hardship and inefficiency within the force. Our police force deserves better, and the community deserves a well-supported and effective police service,” Tsav added.
