Advice for new constables as you enter police training schools

I will like to congratulate all successful candidates, before disclosing to you the tasks ahead.

Police training is sweet, strict and educative. It is all about moral teaching and straight-forwardness.

Before anything, I will like to advise you to get all necessary things ready. I know many will be surprised what some items in the list are being used for in the training ground; items like cutlass and broom. 

BROOM: It is very important, especially for women and mostly used for fatigue.

CUTLASS: Important too, for both genders, it is mostly for fatigue.

BOOK: I know this is not listed in the items but it is very important. You will attend lectures, time without number and write notes like a secondary school students. Police don't joke with lectures, because that's where they teach morals and law you are going to enforce. After lectures, expect strict exams like that of a higher institution. Take it seriously because that's what they use to allocate force number.

DRESS: Your dress for the next 6-7 months is white on white with white socks and shoes. So it will be better you buy as many as you can. Though there's chance for muftis on Sundays alone. White is your uniform, take note.

TOILETRIES: it is important you get these too for your personal need, especially shaving stick with blades. Don't be surprised you will be shaving everyday and barb every week, you won't be permitted to leave your hair bushy at all. Police hate it when you are in training, because they believe that's the only way they can differentiate recruit from officers even if you wear mufti.

All other things to are important, get them ready before you proceed to training.

Before I move further, let me call your attention to this, either you are to train in premier college or training school, always have all these in your mind; at police training you don't have peace, you have no right, you must suffer and you must be intimidated irrespective of your qualification. 

Don't forget it's police training and not higher institution that you do Aluta. Any form of Aluta is mutiny and the punishment is summary dismissal.

SAY NO TO ASSUMPTIONS: Never assume anything. Assumptions can be seen as negligence. When  particular instruction is given, do what you're told to do without grumbling.

HIDE YOUR CIVILIAN CHARACTER: Police training is not where you prove stubbornness or that you are a barrack boy, your father is a police officer or you have godfather. Don't disclose your stubbornness. It is only the stupid ones that pass out; don't be smart, try and behave like you don't know anything. Police can treat your fuck up, irrespective of who your godfather is. They will send you home and training continues for the cool headed ones. So stay calm and let your godfather be proud of you.

STAY AWAY FROM INCRIMINATING ITEMS: Please never plan to go with prohibited items, hard drugs, India hemps, drinks and fetish items. If you are caught, you maybe dismissed.

Don't forget police do what's called dormitory inspection every week, no matter how you hide those items. they will find it. Be warned.

SICKNESS: There's a clinic there, so don't be afraid to report there if you're sick. But please don't visit the hospital more than 5 times before the training ends. Because once you become regular patient in the clinic, you might be considered not fit for the job, and if you don't have a godfather, you can be sent back home. It happens. But if truly your health can't accommodate the stress of training, it is better you let them know. Don't kill yourself by pretending to be fine. 

FOOD: This is where you will have little problem  I won't disclose the secret there but you will be fed, mostly with beans. However, it's advisable you go with provisions and other fast food items.

DON'T SHOW YOURSELF: Don't always bring yourself out or show yourself that you're brilliant, you are BSC holders or HND holders. Don't be surprised you will see someone with MSC, but he will never talk. Always humble yourself Your instructors may not have those qualifications you have acquired but they are more than you in the job; they know better than you do, you are just an ordinary recruit, yes you will be told that, sometimes it pains but you'll need to bear it. Forget certificate collected from higher institutions at home, it's not needed. 

MOVEMENT: Be informed that you are not permitted to walk in the compound, when you're alone or in twos, you jug, when you are in threes,  you match, if you disobey this, cell straight.

DOCUMENTATION: This is the first stage of the training, you will be documented before anything, so don't forget any of your documents that has to do with the recruitment at home. Get photocopies of everything ready and your passport photos with red background on white dress with your hair cut to the last skin.

DATING: Mind your business, don't go there and start chasing boy or girls around. Don't ever think of something like that,  if you're caught, you might be dismissed. And girls should strictly stay away from sex, if you're are caught pregnant, even two years after training, it's dismissal. Police go against that. Note that there are intelligent personel among you.

SOCIAL LIFE: Don't ever think of finding your way to go clubbing or any social activities, discipline starts from college, remember you are a police officer, you should be well behaved. Don't ever regret being there, think of your wonderful memories, don't forget who you're even when you're treated like trash, have the fate that one day you will pass out and have freedom.

RELIGION: There are mosques and churches. On Sundays, always wear loose clothes because you will be going to  church or mosque. Police believe in God so well, so you must go to church or mosque.

NEATNESS: Police hates dirtiness, you must be clean always, the offence for being dirty is called dirty in person, there's punishment for that. So always look fine. when we are clean and looking sharp, the public will respect us as a corp of this nation.

ACTIVITIES: The underlisted activities are the on you should expect in training, and it's very important you attend all everyday because there will be a punishment for absentees; 

1. Morning Fatigue: This takes place at about 0400hrs, your will be gathered on parade ground, then conduct a morning prayer and direct  to go and clean up the surroundings before breakfast 

2. Muster: Morning parade before lecture, there you will be checked properly and trained on some soft parade before class.

3. Lecture: As i said earlier police don't joke with lecture, definitely there's time for that.

4. Afternoon Drill: After lecture is when you will be thought parade proper, just be ready to dig, do more exercise to ease your movements.

5. Evening Fatigue: Afternoon lunch you will fall in again for fatigue, police like fatigue you can't miss 20 before the training ends.

6. Tatto: This is parade done in the night for checking, you must not miss it, because all of you must be counted and completed before you go to bed. Don't be surprised after that after this you may be waked up in the midnight and be punished.

This is my piece of advice, obey all college rules, stay away of those things that might put you in trouble, don't enter extra fatigue and never fail to give any officer compliment, it's their food, they can ruin your life because of it, greet them 10 times if you see them 10 times, don't ever say you've greeted them before,  eye service greetings is allowed.

Wishing you all the best.

Ola Rotimi writes from Lagos Command.