No promotion for errant officers, Police fault claims of rewarding misconduct

The Edo State Police Command has firmly dismissed allegations that it rewards misconduct, asserting that officers under disciplinary scrutiny are strictly barred from career advancement. ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command's spokesperson, addressed these concerns, emphasizing that unprofessional conduct is not tolerated and that sanctions are applied based on the severity of offenses.

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No officer in the Edo State Police Command is applauded for unprofessional conduct of any kind. In fact, any officer facing disciplinary proceedings is ineligible for promotion alongside their peers until such matters are conclusively resolved.

Ikoedem stated unequivocally that "No officer in the Edo State Police Command is applauded for unprofessional conduct of any kind." She further elaborated that any officer facing disciplinary proceedings is ineligible for promotion until their cases are conclusively resolved. This stance aims to counter the perception of impunity and reassure the public of the command's commitment to internal accountability.

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Police officers are empowered by law to conduct searches where there is reasonable suspicion. This policing strategy has proven invaluable in crime prevention and detection, leading to the recovery of firearms, ammunition, stolen vehicles, and other incriminating items.

To underscore this commitment, the command has recently dismissed several officers, with other penalties including rank reduction and criminal prosecution. Regarding public grievances about road operations, the ASP defended "stop-and-search" as a crucial legal tool for crime prevention, citing its effectiveness in recovering illegal items. While acknowledging that large organizations face challenges, Ikoedem stressed that individual misconduct does not reflect the values of the entire Force and urged citizens to report any instances of extortion to the Command’s Complaint Response Unit.

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Those individuals do not represent the values of the Force, and the Command does not hesitate to hold them accountable whenever they are found wanting.