The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has revealed the requirements for officers to be trained in the new police tactical team to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)
He said the training of selected officers for the Special Weapons and Tactics team would commence on Monday, October 19, 2020 as he maintains that no ex-SARS operatives were shortlisted in the SWAT team.
Adamu added: “the officers selected for the training are young, smart and energetic officers who have acquired not less than seven (7) 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 etc and those found to be unsuitable shall be discharged.”
It was contained in a statement released on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, titled: ‘NPF New Tactical Team Commences Training Monday Oct 19,’ and SWAT team “will operate within very high professional and ethical standards, rule of law and dictates of best international policing practices.”
The IG further explained that, to ensure adequate training and screening of SWAT operatives, the Nigeria Police Force has partnered the International Committee of the Red Cross and other development partners for the training which begins tomorrow at the Police Mobile Force Training School, Ila Orangun, Osun State and the PMF Training School, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State.
He however submitted, that the ICRC “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.
