The Nigeria Police is the principal law enforcement and the lead security agency in Nigeria. Designated by the 1999 constitution as the national police of Nigeria with exclusive jurisdiction throughout the country. This article will provide information on the list of the 16 Nigerian Police ranks and their symbols and also provide answers to questions as regards to the Nigerian Police Force, NPF.
Nigeria Police Force was first established in 1820. In 1879 a 1,200-member armed paramilitary Hausa Constabulary was formed. In 1896 the Lagos Police was established. A similar force, the Niger Coast Constabulary, was formed in Calabar in 1894 under the newly proclaimed Niger Coast Protectorate. In the north, the Royal Niger Company set up the Royal Niger Company Constabulary in 1888 with headquarters at Lokoja. When the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were proclaimed in the early 1900s, part of the Royal Niger Company Constabulary became the Northern Nigeria Police, and part of the Niger Coast Constabulary became the Southern Nigeria Police. During the colonial period, most police were associated with local governments. In the 1960s, under the First Republic, these forces were first regionalised and then nationalised. The Nigeria Police Force performed conventional police functions and was responsible for internal security generally; for supporting the prison, immigration, and customs services; and for performing military duties within or outside Nigeria as directed. Plans were announced in mid-1980 to expand the force to 200,000. By 1983, according to the federal budget, the strength of the NPF was almost 152,000, but other sources estimated it to be between 20,000 and 80,000. Reportedly, there were more than 1,300 police stations nationwide. Police officers were not usually armed but were issued weapons when required for specific missions or circumstances. They were often deployed throughout the country, but in 1989, well into Nigeria's second military dictatorship, Babangida announced that a larger number of officers would be posted to their native areas to facilitate police- community relations.
The eagle on the crest represents strength. The crossed staves stand for office and authority. The elephant represents steadfastness and reliability. The green lawn which the elephant stands is the rich vegetation of Nigeria.
- Inspector General of Police (IGP)
The IGP is the head of Police force and most senior officer in the police service. Nigeria has had over of 19 IGPs since 1964 till date. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu is the current IGP of Nigeria Police Force
- Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)
The DIG is second in command in the Nigeria Police Force , and acts in the absence of the IGP. The seven (7) administrative departments of the force is headed by one Deputy Inspector General of Police. According to the Section 5 of the Police Act, the Nigeria Police Council determines the number of DIGs
- Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG)
The AIG ranks above the state commissioner of police, but is a subordinate to the Deputy Inspector General. The AIG can stand in the absence of the Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General. The AIG also head a zone of the Police force
- Commissioner of Police (CP)
The CP heads a state command. The rank of the CP is appointed by the Inspector-General of Police and approved by the Police Service Commission. The CP takes instructions directly from the Inspector General of police or anyone acting in the absence of the Inspector General
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)
The DCP heads an area command. The DCP is the second highest ranking officer in a state police command, and can stand in the absence of the commissioner
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP)
The ACP is junior to that of the Deputy Commissioner. ACP can also stand in as the Commissioner of Police in the absence of both the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Chief Superintendent of Police (CPS)
The CSP is given to the police officer in charge of a department of the police force command of a state
- Superintendent of Police (SP)
The Superintendent of Police directly under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police and gives assistance to the CSP
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)
The DSP rank above Assistant Superintendent and below superintendent. DSP can stand in the absence of the Superintendent of Police
- Assistant Superintendent Of Police (ASP)
The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) is the 6th lowest rank in the force that is just above the inspector of police
- Inspector of Police (IP)
A police Inspector ranks below a commissioner and superintendent. An inspector manages teams of sergeants and constables.
- Sergeant Major (SM)
SM is one of the junior officers in the Nigeria police force (NPF). It is the highest rank of non commissioned officer. A Sergeant Major assist administrative officer of a particular regiment.
- Sergeant
Sergeant is the middle rank of a non commissioned officer. A Police Sergeant is below the rank of a sergeant major
- Corporal
This is a lower rank in the police force, it comes after constable
- Constable
A Police Constable is a newly employed police man
- Police Recruit
A Police recruit is a person who is undergoing training to become a member of the police force. Technically, it is not a rank in the police force, as an individual here is just a trainee
The purpose of having a code of conduct is to provide all members of the Nigeria Police Force with a set of guiding principles and standards of behaviour while on or off-duty.
- Code of Conduct One of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall conduct themselves, whether on or off duty, in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all applicable laws, ordinances and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority
- Code of Conduct Two of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall refrain from any conduct in an official capacity that detracts from the public’s faith in the integrity of the criminal justice system
- Code of Conduct Three of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall perform their duties and apply the law impartially and without prejudice or discrimination
- Code of Conduct Four of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall not, whether on or off duty, exhibit any conduct which discredits themselves or the Force or otherwise impairs their ability or that of other officers or the Force to provide law enforcement services to the community
- Code of Conduct Five of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall treat all members of the public courteously and with respect
- Code of Conduct Six of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall not compromise their integrity nor that of the Force, by accepting, giving or soliciting any gratuity which could be reasonably interpreted as capable of influencing their official acts or judgments, or by using their status as a police officer for personal, commercial, or political gain
- Code of Conduct Seven of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall not compromise their integrity, nor that of their Force, by taking or attempting to influence actions when a conflict of interest exists
- Code of Conduct Eight of the Nigerian Police Force
Police officers shall observe the confidentiality of information available to them due to their status as police officers
- A police officer acts as an official representative of government who is required and trusted to work within the law
- The fundamental duties of a police officer include serving the community, safeguarding lives and property, protecting the innocent, keeping the peace and ensuring the rights of all to liberty, equality and justice
- A police officer shall perform all duties impartially without favour of affection or without regard to status, sex, race, religion, political belief or aspiration
- A Police officer will use responsibly, the discretion vested in his position and exercise it within the law
- A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence
- Whatever a police officer sees, hears or learns which is of a confidential nature should be kept in that manner
- A police officer will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery
- They are assigned to the locality of cities, where there is fear of disorder and disruption
- They also help to maintain law, peace, and order
- Some police officers are also trained to control traffic and riots
- They help to settle disputes among people
- They fall back on firing in a worsen situation, but only with the approval of their superior
- Now that you already know that police officer do more than pull people over, our lives and properties are safe in their hands
DPO in the Nigerian police rank stands for Divisional Police Officer.
The lowest rank in the Nigerian Police is the rank of an Officer.
The symbol or insignia for the The Deputy Superintendent of Police is three stars that are vertically arranged.
The Nigerian police logo for the rank of Inspector General of Police is Nigeria's coat of arms, two stars, and crossed tipstaves surrounded by a laurel wreath worn on the shoulder.