NASS ready to review outdated laws — Akpabio

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) board to initiate reforms like technology and professionalism in policing, saying it has the backing of the National Assembly.

Akpabio, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, during the Police Service Commission Board Induction/Strategic Management session in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, said the National Assembly was ready to give the necessary legislative backing for the review of outdated laws.

While calling for the introduction of a reward system for outstanding police officers, Akpabio said Nigeria must begin to institutionalise merit, discipline and integrity over mediocrity, favouritism and impunity, adding that reforms in the police require courage that would disrupt the status quo.

He urged the PSC to adopt policies that would make the police protectors instead of predators, and deliver justice instead of judgment, and advocated the adaptation of community policing models that emphasise empathy, conflict resolution and neighbourhood engagement like Japan and Finland.