@crystal, i really learned a lot from your replies to the guy's questions; though i am not planning on joining the Police Force.This is how posts of NL of old used to be, very educating.Thanx
As for the poster's last question, he means taking a law degree, ie he plans to become a lawyer while in the force and he is asking if it is possible.
Lol, why aren't you planning on joining the Force? Kidding
Thanks for clarifying further. . .I hope that's what zogo meant.
Yeah, it's very possible to become a lawyer while in the Force, but of course it would have to be part-time studies. The thing about the Force is that it's actually quite flexible. . .to an extent one can juggle things to suit one's desires.
Let me explain. . .some policemen prefer to be posted to states like Lagos, Abuja, PH etc where it is generally believed more money can be found via avenues other than their monthly salary. E.g a policeman gets paid monthly yeah, but the government of that state could suddenly give the police command in that state some sort of ''gift''. All the cops get to share, of course how much you get depending on your rank. But such only happens in states that are 'happening', states with money.
And then there's the movers and shakers of society that require police protection, as well as luxurious bus travelers that also require police protection. They pay for this, and the officers assigned to them get their share. It's also very possible that the person you're assigned to gives you some good 'bonuses'.
If one were to be in a state like Yobe, would such happen? Not likely. Generally believed that there's no money there. So some officers are actively involved in hustling for good places to get posted to.
The disadvantage of the 'happening' states is that there's more workload. In a place like Lagos, there's much to do. . .midnight calls, patrols, battling the high crime rate etc etc. So one will always be busy. When that is the case, that officer won't have sufficient study time.
In a place like Yobe, it's relatively quiet. Not very much to tackle, so plenty of study time.
But of course, not everyone would want to study law in Yobe state
There's an option. . .
As an ASP you're either gon' be a field officer, as in, always out on the streets at whatever time(even if it's 2am), doing all the gunning and chasing etc. Or you will be an Admin guy, as in, more of paperwork/deskwork. In charge of in-house runnings, processing cases, researching laws etc, basically making sure all is going smoothly. . .kinda like the Operations guys in Banking. Marketers go out and do all the investigating and chasing, while the Operations people handle the processing and movement of cash.
When you're an Admin guy, you'll have more time. You'll be less tired,physically that is. When you're at your desk and there isn't much to do at that time, you can easily take out your law books and study at the office.
Sometimes you can close early and go home to study, knowing that you won't be called back to the office unless there's an emergency.
And, the high ranking officers in the Force are usually understanding when it comes to such issues. . .they usually go easy on officers working and studying at the same time. Well, mostly that's if you're lucky enough to work under a really nice boss.
So zogo, working in the Force and doing your law program at the same time is very possible. I can safely say 40% of Nigerian policemen are currently doing that.
Even if you're not an Admin guy, it's still possible to work and study, just that it's easier to cope with the inherent stress when you're more of a desk person.
And the state you're in matters too. If you're more interested in hustling for a good posting,'greener' pasture, you'll most likely have less time at your disposal than when you're in a relatively calm state. Okay, it doesn't have to be Yobe state
But usually the Northern parts of Nigeria tend to have a lower crime rate unless there's religous disturbance, or political disturbance.
You might ask if one can decide which state he gets posted to. Normally, you have no say in wherever you get posted to. However there are 2 ways I know of that could influence one's posting. . .
1. The 'godfather' factor
. If you've got a high ranking officer as a godfather, he/she could influence your posting to wherever you desire.
2. If you can produce evidence that you are currently enrolled in an academic institution, you won't be posted out of that state till you're done. Hey, the government does care about its Police officers being well educated.
Another thing I almost forgot. . .did you know you can be a lecturer in the Force? Earlier I told you there are opportunities for nearly everybody on the Force, from Medical Doctors to Lawyers to Electricians and Bricklayers. Even Bankers. The Force has got its own co-operative banks, hospitals, and of course training schools, and they prefer to have their own manning these places.
If there's an electrical fault, they prefer to get their own policeman-electrician. If they're sick, they prefer to go to their hospital and get treated by their police doctors.
Being a lecturer in a police training school is a comfy place to be as a part-time student. If you have classes from say, 8am till 2pm, you've got the rest of the day free for studying. A lecturer's time is quite flexible which is very advantageous to a part-time student.
And the Nig. Police Force treasures its well educated, intelligent men. . .it's them that are the future Commissioners and IGs after all.
Wow, I think my epistle is long enough for now,lol.
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