The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Argungu, mni, has restated the Commission’s commitment to building a professional and ethical Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at a Strategic Leadership and Change Management Retreat for Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Abuja, Argungu said the PSC’s core mandate of appointments, promotions, and discipline is fundamentally geared towards one goal nurturing an ethical and professional police service.
He emphasized that promotions within the Force must be strictly based on merit, integrity, and professional competence, while disciplinary measures will continue to be applied firmly and fairly.
Argungu also advocated for improved welfare and working conditions for officers, noting that “it is difficult to be ethical when under immense financial pressure.”
According to him, the Commission will continue to partner with the Force leadership to ensure that officers who demonstrate ethical conduct are recognized, rewarded, and protected.
Delivering a lecture titled “Ethics and Professionalism: Bedrock of Policing Code of Conduct” at the retreat, which was organized by the Police Reform Secretariat in collaboration with UNDP, CLEEN Foundation, GS-Foundation, the Federal Foreign Office, and the Nigeria Police Force, the PSC Chairman underscored the centrality of ethics to effective policing.
“Ethics are of paramount importance in policing duties because they are foundational to building public trust, ensuring policing legitimacy, upholding the rule of law, and maintaining accountability,” Argungu stated.
Highlighting the unique role of the police in society, he described the Force as the government’s ever-present face. “When government offices close, the Nigeria Police become roving representatives of the state, available to handle emergencies, mediate conflicts, and ensure public safety around the clock,” he said.
Argungu further outlined the standards expected of every police officer, including prompt obedience to lawful orders, incorruptibility, disciplined behavior, and pride in personal appearance, both in and out of uniform.
The retreat was held at the National Institute of Police Studies, Life Camp, Abuja.