The Police Service Commission (PSC) has sought the cooperation of the Nigerian media to change negative perceptions of the Nigerian Police.

Its chairman Solomon Arase solicited the support of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at a meeting with the leaders of the journalists body in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Arase said the commission’s mandate include appointment, promotion, and discipline of all police officers except the Inspector-General of Police.

He stressed the commission’s commitment to collaborate with the media to ensure proper working relationships with the police authorities.

Mr Arase had also held similar stakeholders meetings with relevant bodies to ensure a seamless working relationship with the commission.

To improve performance, Mr Arase said there would be constant training between police and the media to ensure proper working relationships for the good of the country.

He said the commission was ready to change the negative narratives about the frosty relationship that had existed between the commission and the public.

On cases of misconduct by some police personnel, Mr Arase faulted the recruitment process.

He stressed that there must be zero tolerance to misconduct by personnel and that punitive measures had been put in place to discourage wrong doings.

He noted that some police personnel have had to go because of their bad behaviour.

Mr Arase also said that the commission aimed to continue its engagement with relevant stakeholders to seek ways of improving policing in Nigeria.

“If you are going to police the system very well, you need the cooperation of the public,” Mr Arase said.