By Ufoh Awele Anthony
Copyright independent
Anthony Ufoh
A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), Hashimu Argungu, has stated that there are certain qualities that are expected from a well-trained officer of the force.
Argungu stressed that in the contemporary period, a policeman should possess a good understanding of the law and also police orders and instructions, while at the same time, should be efficient, tactful, be a person of integrity and impartiality.
The former Jigawa Commissioner of Police made the statement at an event organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Abuja on 14 September 2025.
Among the partners with the UNDP are the governments of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
The workshop that was themed: Ethics, Mental Health and the Future of Policing and Security in Nigeria,” with the theme “Command Leadership for Ethical and Trauma-Informed Security Response saw many stakeholders in the security sector in attendance.
He noted that emerging threats to policing in Nigeria are no longer driven solely by traditional factors such as unemployment, poverty, and out-of-school children, but increasingly by digital and societal dynamics.
Argungu underscored the importance of ethics training, describing it as the foundation of professional conduct. “Ethics training will help police departments recognise their full potential, as officers use significant discretion in enforcing the law at the appropriate time and place,” he said.
On recruitment, the PSC Chairman highlighted the importance of medical fitness for candidates, stressing that health examinations must screen for deformities, speech impediments, jaw or dental malfunctions, flat feet, bent limbs, defective eyesight, amputations, and other conditions that could hinder effective performance.
He also drew attention to the impact of stress on policing, linking it to operational factors such as trauma and dangerous incidents, organisational issues like poor leadership and inadequate staffing, as well as personal and external stressors, including financial hardship and family pressures. These, he warned, could result in burnout, depression, substance misuse, or even suicide.
Looking ahead, Argungu identified social media and digital platforms as emerging threats, with potential for misuse in spreading propaganda or mobilising hooligans for destabilising activities. He stressed the need for police officers to be trained in recognising cybercrime and understanding how technology affects businesses and daily life in the 21st century.
