IGP Bans Police Officers From Using Academic, Religious, Traditional Titles In Official Memos
IGP Bans Police Officers From Using Academic, Religious, Traditional Titles In Official Memos
The directive cited the use of titles such as “Dr,” alongside police ranks and other honours, as an example of the practice the police leadership wants to stop.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to stop using academic, traditional, religious, professional and other titles before their names in official correspondence, insisting that only their official police ranks should precede their names.
The directive was contained in a police wireless message dated October 14, obtained by SaharaReporters, and marked “Order and Directives,” which was circulated to senior police officers and several departments, units and agencies connected to the Force.
According to the message, the IGP expressed displeasure over the outrageous use of academic, traditional, religious, professional and other appellations by police personnel in official communications.
The directive cited the use of titles such as “Dr,” alongside police ranks and other honours, as an example of the practice the police leadership wants to stop.
One example provided in the wireless message was: “Dr ACP Bayo Kanayo Audu PSC MMA (Sarkin Yaki).”
The IGP said the practice not only contravened the provisions of the Public Service Rules 2021, the Police Act 2020 and Force Order 266, but also portrayed the Force in a negative light.
The message stated that officers must henceforth refrain from placing any title other than their official ranks before their names in official correspondence, stressing that the directive was in line with Force Order 266.
It further warned police personnel to comply with Force Orders 37 and 103, which, according to the message, prescribe the procedures for members of the Force to accept chieftaincy titles and regulate the use of appellations.
The IGP directed that the matter be made the subject of lectures within the Force to ensure that officers understand and comply with the rules.
The police leadership also instructed recipients to treat the directive as a matter of utmost importance and ensure strict compliance.
