As a follow up to their disbandment, all personnel of the defunct SARS have been directed to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, immediately for debriefing, psychological and medical examination just as a new outfit is being inaugurated to replace SARS.
Giving the order, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, said the recall was in accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020.
“The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.
“The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.
“The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, public relations practitioners, civil society and other human rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise,’’ the Police chief said in a statement.
Signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner, a copy of the statement was emailed to Persecondnews.
Meanwhile, the Police authorities have announced the setting up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of SARS.
According to the Inspector-General of Police, prospective members of this new team will also undergo mandatory psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.
He said they are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide next week.
Under the arrangement, personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, while those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.
Adamu restated his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms and appealed to the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition.
He expressed the hope that the new measures would engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.
