Section 18: Recruitment, and Police Recruitment Committee. (As amended by section 2 of the Nigeria Police (Amendment) Act, 2024)

1 The responsibility for the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force and recruit cadets into the Nigeria Police Academy shall be the duty of the Inspector-General of Police.

2 For the purpose of subsection (1), there shall be the Nigeria Police Recruitment Committee (in this Act referred to as "the Police Recruitment Committee").

3 The Police Recruitment Committee is responsible for the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

4 The Police Recruitment Committee shall consist of:
a the Inspector-General of Police as Chairman;
b all the serving Deputy Inspectors-General of Police;
c the Force Secretary;
d the Commandant of Staff College Jos;
e the Commandant of Police Academy Wudil, Kano;
f a representative each of the Police Colleges; and
g the officer in-charge of the legal section of the Nigeria Police Force.

5 The recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force shall be of national spread across each State of the Federation.

6 The members of the Police Recruitment Committee shall have power to delegate officers, not below the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police, to represent them at any meeting or recruitment exercise.

7 The decision of the Police Recruitment Committee is final on any matter concerning the recruitment of recruit constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

8 Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.

8A Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, a person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in accordance with the provisions of section 7(6) of this Act.

9 Professionals from the relevant fields, including engineering, medicine, pathology, aviation, law, psychology, accountancy and forensic science, shall:
a be appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as specialists; and
b practise their professions and use their expertise in the advancement of the objectives of the Police Force.

10 All candidates wishing to be recruited or appointed into the Nigeria Police Force shall undergo psychological and other medical evaluations as may be required as part of the recruitment or appointment process to ascertain their character and suitability for the job.

11 Within the period of recruitment or appointment, every police officer shall undergo specialised training in any professional field relevant to policing and law enforcement.