Poor cops make poor cops

The police in Rivers State, Nigeria, have blamed the public for inducing police personnel to engage in unwholesome acts.
Mr. Godwin Achom, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration in the Rivers Police Command, said this in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while inaugurating the command’s Police Community Relations Committee.
“The truth of the matter is that most times it is the members of the public who induce the police to do most of the things for which they are criticised.”

Corruption is well acknowledged as a problem in Africa, unlike the developed western world, of course.
But cynicism aside, things are taking an interesting turn when the public is supposed to be keeping the cops honest.
I’m sure Assistant Commissioner Achom is right in suggesting the wicked public is tempting his poor charges. The problem is, his officers have a clear duty to uphold the law, not be accessories to crime.
Compare the situation with US congressmen caught taking kickbacks then blaming the lobbyists for the tempting them. If those in positions of responsibility cannot avoid temptation, especially when they are supposed to protect the community from potential corrupt activities, they simply should not be there.
But then the comparison falls down when you compare the lot of relatively wealth US politicians and the borderline poverty of a Nigerian policeman receiving N50,000 (392.084 US Dollar ) per month.
There had been moves this week by the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force to embark on a nationwide strike.
It failed as all policemen went about their duties after the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, introduced roll call in all police formations to ensure that the planned strike was not held.
The battle on rank and file police to sustain bare living conditions no doubt makes corruption tempting. That temptation is exacerbated when senior police are seen to be illegally lining their pockets. The trial and eventual conviction of former Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun, gave an insight into how high corruption extends in the force. In many instances, allowances meant for the welfare and operational efficiency of the rank and file are embezzled by their senior colleagues.
That, we are told, coupled with the poor pay in the ranks has become an inducement to more than simple bribe taking. Extortion and contract killing are among other methods of income enhancement.
Given our continual experience of greed in high places in our developed Western economies, it is difficult to argue that better pay and conditions in developing countries will solve the corruption problem.
Better pay, coupled with real leadership would make a difference, but both seem equally impossible in a world increasingly in need of ‘material show’ to enhance feelings of self worth and ego.