What to know about the new SWAT to replace defunct SARS

The Inspector-General of Police, Adamu Muhammed, announced the setting up of a new Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT, to replace the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, yesterday, to heed to the yearnings of the masses.

He Adamu Muhammed also ordered in a statement signed by the Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mbah, that all personnel of the defunct SARS should report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

He said the officers were expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

According to him, medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up  Police Counseling 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 he said was domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer has its membership drawn from among psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors, imams, public relations practitioners, civil society organisations and other human rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

He stated that prospective members of the new team would also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide next week.

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, 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,’’ the IGP said.

While reaffirming his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the police reforms, the IGP enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens, to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition.