Can USA Police System Work In Nigeria? (Part Two)

By

Kunle I Sowunmi

kshoid@yahoo.com

The first part of this article called for the establishments of State and cities police system of administration in Nigeria following the much frightening unsolved murder cases in the last five years in Nigeria. The article called for the police system to be fashioned along the USA style. It however generated lots of response world wide while some even demanded that more lights or information should be given on the USA police system more than the few lines mentioned in the article more also the unfortunate statement credited to the Police Inspector General that the political office aspirants should not expect any special police security more than average citizen made this writer to write a rejoinder or follow up to give further details into how police are compensated if we must expect security and dedicated police system in Nigeria.

The information to be given in this second article will focus more on the state of Texas where this writer resides with special attention to the city of Dallas police, its incentives package, remunerations and duties of this very important career in the society. I hope and believe it can work in Nigeria if we can adopt something similar.

History of Texas State Police

‘…During Radical Republican rule, Texas was lawless and chaotic. A number of studies, including one by the Committee on Lawlessness and Violence of the Constitutional Convention of 1868-69, indicated the need for a statewide organization with the ability to work in any jurisdiction.

The committee stated in its first report that 939 murders had been committed between 1865 and 1868. Of these, 460 were by whites against whites, 373 were whites murdering blacks, 10 were blacks killing whites, and 57 were blacks killing blacks. A later report increased the total number of murders in the period to 1,035. These figures did not include all of Texas, however, since some counties (local governments) did not file reports. Sheriffs' reports for 1865 to 1871 show 4,425 crimes with only 588 arrests and few convictions.

This paucity of justice was caused by poor law enforcement, including the fact that only eighty-two counties had jails, many of which were easily escaped from. Although the resulting Police Act of July 1870 authorized a force of 257 men, the force never had as many as 200 members. The State Police were authorized to arrest offenders where local law officers failed to do so. Adjutant General James Davidson was appointed chief of the State Police but was paid no more than his men. The police came from all walks of life. They were black, Hispanic, and white, and had fought as both Union and Confederate soldiers. Some were excellent lawmen, some were criminals. Most were Republicans. In December 1869 the force numbered 196 men; by January 1872 the total had dropped to 166; it rebounded to 184 in January 1873. In the first month the force made 978 arrests, 109 for murder and 130 for attempted murder. By 1872, arrests totaled 6,820-587 for murder, 760 for attempted murder, and 1,748 for other felonies. The value of recovered stolen property was $200,000.

The largest number of arrests in any one-year was 3,602 in 1871. Despite the general success of the State Police, the fact that the force employed blacks and was controlled by Governor Edmund J. Davis made it unpopular. Some members of the force certainly deserved criticism. Capt. Jack Helm, for instance, was accused of murdering prisoners; he was discharged, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Others committed crimes for which the charges were dropped as soon as headquarters was advised. Davidson embezzled $37,000 and disappeared, though his crime cannot be blamed on the police. On April 22, 1873, the law authorizing the State Police was repealed. Former policeman Leander H. McNally and at least thirty-six other State Police members became Texas Rangers.

Although in older studies the State Police have been described as politically oriented and corrupt, available evidence does not substantiate the charge. More recent studies claim that earlier Texas historians of Reconstruction allowed bias against Republican organizations to influence their work. ……………’. Which can be said to relate to the fear of those against state and city police in Nigeria

Economy of Texas

State of Texas according to the reports from the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce occupies the largest of United State Exports market. The State exports over 30% of USA products worldwide with Dallas Texas as the number one Export/Trading city to China. If the state of Texas should be a country the Chamber of Commerce further says it will be number 13th richest country in the world and if Dallas County or local government as we call it in Nigeria should be a country it will be number 27th richest country on the face of earth. The above is an indication that a Federal Police system may not be able to work in a fast growing society like Dallas, which is not even the size of Lagos in population. Dallas city according to US last Census count is only 2 million in population with two major Airports in Dallas as city and six as county or Local Government comprising of Cities like Mesquite, Richardson, Coppell, Farmers Branch, Irving, Carrolton, Desoto, Duncanville and many more.

History of Dallas

In one of my articles I wrote immediately I returned from Nigeria in January 2004 after being a victim of World Airways in Lagos. I did mentioned that Abeokuta my home town in Ogun State was created almost the same period with Dallas Texas. Between John Neely Bryan a trained Lawyer who founded the city of Dallas in 1839 and William B Miller, Dallas developed to be eighth largest city in the U.S. William B. Miller migrated from Missouri to the Dallas area in 1846.

Dallas as a City was formally incorporated as a city on 2 February 1856. The city is known globally as a center for telecommunications, computer technology, banking, and transportation. It is the core of the largest inland metropolitan area in the United States and lacks any navigable link to the sea—Dallas's prominence despite this comes from its historical importance as a center for the oil and cotton industries, its position along numerous railroad lines, and its powerful industrial and financial tycoons.

History of Dallas Police

Since its creation more than 120 years ago, the Dallas Police Department has created an atmosphere of ethical, caring behavior. The 2,977 sworn officers and 556 civilians, who make up the department, take special pride in helping to make Dallas a safe place to live, work and visit. The City has over 1100 patrol cars at the rate of two officers to a patrol car and can be seen at every two miles of the city which make it very easy to get police quickly at an seen of accident or crime within five minutes. The Dispatch office is able to communicate with all police cars on time. Police cars can be found in most gas stations like 7-Eleven retail stores, parking lots and apartments or just patrolling the highways checking on traffic or those on speeding spree and in most cases ones a police car is behind your car your tag will be checked on the computer in his car. Police has been known to get most criminal in this way.

Career of Dallas Police Officer

 

I did mentioned in my last article that a police officer earns as much as $39,000. Per Annum.  A friend in Nigeria even called to find out if it was indeed true. Yes it is. This is infact an under statement excluding the other fringe benefits that can be found under dallaspolice.net as follows

 

Police Officer             Base Degree Trainee         $38,640   -  $39,840

 

Trainee Police Officers receive $10,000 BONUS

Apprentice $39,030 $40,230 Probationary $39,420 $40,620 Police Officer $41,690 $42,890 2 Years $43,754 $44,950 3 Years $45,933 $47,133 5 Years $48,249 $49,449 7 Years $50,657 $51,857 9 Years $53,179 $54,379 11 Years $55,862 $57,062 13 Years $58,637 $59,837 15 Years $61,572 $62,772  

Senior Corporal Start   $42,860 $44,060 Maximum $67,879 $69,079

Other Benefits includes

 

Health Insurance
On the date of hired, a Dallas City Police officer will become eligible for one of the City of Dallas' major medical insurance programs.  The City also offers different supplemental dental and vision plans as well as non-city health HMO coverage plans.

 Life Insurance

A Dallas Police officer is enrolled in the City of Dallas group life insurance programs.  He can choose from among three plans, with Option 1 paid by the City of Dallas.  Options 2 and 3 are available at a reduced rate premium.  Accidental death and dependant life insurance is also available at a reduced rate premium.
  • Option 1:  $40,000 basic insurance policy
  • Option 2:  pays the equivalent of your annual salary plus $40,000
  • Option 3:  pays the equivalent of 2 times your annual salary plus $40,000

Retirement

Once you are hired, you will be enrolled in the Dallas Police and Fire Pension Fund. 

  • You will contribute 8.5% of your paycheck to the pension fund, while the City of Dallas contributes 27.5%. 
  • You become eligible for full retirement at age 50, with a minimum 5 years of service.
  • The retirement plan pays up to 96% of the average of your highest paid 36 months of salary. 
  • Upon reaching retirement age, officers may choose to participate in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP).  This option places your calculated monthly pension into an investment account with the Pension Fund
  • As you continue to draw your salary and work as a Dallas Police Officer.  The account will earn an 8-10% return.  Upon entering DROP at age 50, a Senior Corporal with 20 years of service and 5 years in DROP can have in excess of $100,000 in the account upon retiring, depending on the individual pension contribution.  This is in addition to receiving the calculated monthly pension. 
  • Upon leaving the Department, you will be paid for all accrued vacation time, at your present hourly rate of pay.

Equipment

All officers are provided with uniforms and other necessary equipment including a regulation service weapon.

 

Educational Incentive Pay

  • Additional pay can be earned by completing college level courses beyond the minimum 45 semester hours. 
  • Officers will earn $4.00 per three credit hours earned above the required 45 hours up to a maximum of 90 hours or $60.00 per month.
  • Officers who obtain a Bachelor's Degree will receive an additional $100 per month. 

Detective Pay
Senior Corporals who are assigned in an investigative capacity will receive $100 additional pay per month.
 Language Pay
Officers who are fluent in Spanish, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian or sign language may earn an additional $75.00-100.00 per month in Language Incentive Pay upon completion of the testing process.
Shift Differential Pay
 Officers can earn up to 6.5% additional pay if 50 percent or more of the scheduled work

Patrol Duty Pay
Officers may earn up to $150 per month if assigned to Patrol, Traffic or Special Operations Division.

Your career as a Dallas Police Officer begins with the extensive training you will receive at the

Dallas Police Academy.  During the 32-week training period, you will be taught subjects ranging

from criminal law, report writing, principles of investigations, defensive tactics, police vehicle

operations and firearm training.  While in the academy, you will draw a full salary as a Trainee Police Officer.

 

 

Upon completion of the academy, you will receive a $6,000 bonus, and then you will be assigned at one of our six patrol stations located throughout the city.  During the next 24 weeks, you will apply what you learned in the academy along side a Field Training Officer who will provide on the job training and evaluations.  Upon completion of probation, you will receive the additional $4000 for a total of $10,000.

As your career develops, promotional opportunities to the rank of Senior Corporal, Sergeant, and Lieutenant become available.  As a Senior Corporal, you can become a detective and conduct detailed investigations in such areas as

burglary, robbery, homicide, auto theft, sexual assaults, and narcotics and vice.  In addition, you may qualify to perform

in specialized areas such as tactical operations, training, crime scene investigations, or community policing.


Minimum Qualifications Required To Joined the Police

  • Must Be A United States Citizen
  • 21 years of age (45 hours from an accredited college - minimum 2.0 GPA)
  • 19 ½ years of age (60 hours from an accredited college - minimum 2.0 GPA)
  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Must not have committed a "Class A" misdemeanor or "Felony"
  • No “Class B” misdemeanor convictions within last 10 years
  • Vision: No worse than 20/100 in either eye, correctable to 20/20 in both eyes
  • No pending traffic citations or court cases
  • Must not have been convicted of three (3) or more hazardous traffic violations in the last twenty-four (24) months. (Does not include “Deferred Adjudication” or “Driver’s Safety Course”)
  • Military Personnel: College credit requirement waived if you have 4 years active service and an honorable discharge as stipulated on a DD214

Documents Required To Join Dallas Police Department

  1. Valid Driver’s License
  2. Social Security Card
  3. Official College Transcript, if applicable
  4. Birth Certificate (original or certified copy)
  5. High School Transcript (certified or official) or GED
  6. Marriage License (copy)
  7. Divorce Decree (copy)
  8. DD214 - member 4 page, if applicable (copy)
  9. City of Dallas Employment Application (Civil Service Application)
  10. Personal History Statement

Finally, the above is let the society see what we are up to if we must have a better equipped and efficient Police Management this is not to put us down as a nation but in the language of the Israelis when they asked Samuel the Prophet to give them a King like other Nations before Saul was appointed the King over Israel the same is the yeaning of Nigerians.  The Nigerian authority to give the nation a Police system befitting us as a  progressive nation. In the Book “ Things Fall Apart” Chinua Achebe wrote ……if you must eat Toad make sure it is a fat and juicy one.’ If we must have a Police Force let us go all out for a good system otherwise it will be like what the Yoruba Adage says “ the Police will be like “Awodi ti o le gbe Adie.” A Hark that can not even steal a chicken” which is what we have now in Nigeria, It is not compulsory for all states to start the formation of Cities and State police at the same time it can be done gradually.

It took more than 100 years for the Senate in Oregon State in America to pass the bill creating the Oregon State Police on February 25, 1931, and the House approved it on March 1, l931. An announcement was made March 24, l93l, that the new Department would begin operations on August l, l93l.  Let those states in Nigeria that are afraid or  not interested  for now because they will in future in Cities and State Police system wait while those cities and States in Lagos, Ibadan, Kano Kaduna and Enugu Benin and Abeokuta Start the Program. May God help Nigeria.

 

References /Bibliography

Dallaspolice.net  http://gilglover.com/Dview2a.htm

http://dallaslibrary.org/ctx/ctx.htm

Extract from BIBLIOGRAPHY: Ann Patton Baenziger, "The Texas State Police during Reconstruction: A Reexamination," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 72 (April 1969). William T. Field, Jr., "The Texas State Police, 1870-1873,"