Nigerian Mr. Victor Olisa becomes London's first black police commander

A Nigerian, based in the United Kingdom (UK), Mr. Victor Olisa, has made history as the first black commander for Baxley Local Council in London.

Until his appointment, Olisa was a Chief superindent with the London metropolitian Police.

Olisa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)“Policing runs in the family and I have always wanted to be a police officer and ethnicity does not affect that.”

Olisa, whose grandfather was a police officer in Nigeria, said his focus was on the job rather than on being the “first black’’ adding that his ethnicity never affected the way he carried out his duties.

He said: “I consider myself first and foremost a police officer. If (being black) is an advantage, then brilliant; If it’s a disadvantage, I will have to deal with that, I can’t hide it.

“I am impeccably against anyone who uses racist language or behaves in a racist manner. This will not be allowed under my watch.

“I believe that everyone should be treated with dignity wherever they come from.’’ 

Olisa, 52, born in Warri, Delta State, is one of the three chief superintendents from black minority ethnic background working for the Metropolitan Police.

He started his career in Surrey Police in 1982 before transferring to the City of London Police in 1990 as detective inspector in the Fraud Squad.

After a stint at the Home Office, he moved to the Metropolitan Police in 2006 as a superintendent in Southwark Council before his recent appointment.

The Nation

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