Stop the police strike

The officers involved were from the ranks of inspector to assistant superintendents, who were promoted in December, 2013.
Their complaint was that since their promotion was announced, the authorities were yet to pay them the salaries and other benefits that are commensurate with their new status.  “We were promoted in December 2013, and the letters which were given to us indicated that we were to enjoy benefits accruing to our new rank from the date of our promotion”, they said. “We waited to be paid throughout last year, which was 2014, but they didn’t pay us, saying that the money was not released. In January this year, they paid us the new salary that was commensurate with our new rank, but failed to pay the 13 months’ arrears. Elections are coming. They said we should be neutral. How can we be neutral when we are being short-changed by our bosses and country?”
But the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, dismissed any threat of strike by police personnel, noting that the statement read to media on the issue by the officers concerned was the “handiwork of detractors outside the force who are bent on truncating the electoral process. They did not threaten any strike and would not go on strike, because anyone that does so would face the full wrath of the law as appropriate sanctions will be applied”.
While the police authorities may wish to assure the public that all is well, it is imperative for them to investigate grievances among their officers. This is important because the country is at a very crucial stage, with the general elections only days away. The police are expected to play a critical role in those elections. Any potential for strike threat should be nipped in the bud by the authorities investigating and addressing the officers’ grievances.
This would not be the first time that the police personnel would consider taking such a course of action. In 2002, some police officers went on strike after similar complaints of poor welfare conditions. At the time, the authorities did not take the threat seriously until the policemen actually walked off their workplaces. That unfamiliar move had far-reaching effects. The government characterised the action as mutiny and called on soldiers to take over ‘’all sensitive points.’’  It also threatened those who took part in the strike with dismissals and prosecutions.
It would be dangerous to wait for the current situation to get to that point. Apart from the fact that at no point should security agents be allowed to embark on strike, the situation in the country at the moment is different from what it was in 2002. Police personnel have no excuse not to be on duty, and the authorities must ensure that.  While it may be the case that the policemen have genuine grievances that should be looked into and addressed, the situation calls for the exercise of patience, not making threats that could destabilise the country. The uniform they wear requires them to exhibit a greater sense of patriotism. The elections may present some opportunity for them to make their authorities listen to their complaints, but it is the wrong time to make threats or call a strike. That would amount to blackmailing the entire country they have sworn to defend.   In the meantime, the police authorities should endeavour to do what is expected of them, so that the personnel do not have to seek strike as an option.