Joy Anyim
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has stated that trainings for operatives to man the new Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT), Team, would commence October 19.
IGP Adamu, who reemphasised that no member of the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad would be a part of the new tactical team, said that the team would operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and dictates of best international policing practices.
In a statement on Sunday, IGP Adamu said the NPF would be partnering with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other Development Partners for the training of the tactical team at the Police Mobile Force (PMF) Training School, Ila Oragun, Osun State and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.
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The statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, said: “No personnel of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) would be a member of the new Tactical Team.
“Officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven years working experience with clean service records – no pending disciplinary matters,
“No record of violation of rights of citizens or misuse of firearms – and are physically fit to withstand the rigour of SWAT Training and Operations.
“The selected officers shall be subjected to physical fitness test, medical and toxicology screening, and so on, and those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged.
“The ICRC, an independent International human rights and humanitarian support organisation with over 71 years experience in humanitarian services and institutional support and development, would provide resource persons and materials to handle the human rights components of the training programme.
“Specifically, they will handle topics touching on humanitarian laws, police conduct in conflict situation, human rights standard especially in the use of force and firearms, arrest and detention amongst others.”
He added that other areas of the training will include modern-day police ethics and values, Intelligence-led policing, operation planning/tactical decision making processes, Hostage rescue tactics and operation, weapon handling, first aid/basic life saving skills, stress/fear management, police-citizens relations and emotional intelligence.
“The training modules will be handled by other carefully selected development partners, security experts as well as veterans from the civil society and human rights community,” he said.
IGP Adamu charged the training coordinators to ensure a diligent and timely delivery of the Tactical Team. He reiterated that the necessity for the immediate establishment of a new Tactical Team is in view of the need to fill voids created by the dissolution of the defunct SARS particularly during the ‘EMBER Month’ traditionally characterized with upsurge in armed robbery and other violent crimes in the country.
IGP Adamu, therefore, asked all citizens to cooperate in the ongoing development drive for a new and reformed Nigeria Police Force.
He also enjoined all to be patient and believe in the reform processes which are all directed at ensuring the security, safety and rights of all.