Maravi

Mateyo deserves support

Mateyo deserves support
By Editor
Wednesday February 06, 2008 [03:00]

Police inspector general Ephraim Mateyo’s revelation that he believes the Zambia Police Service is leading the race in terms of being corrupt is a surprising one. It is surprising because he is probably the first police chief of our country to admit corruption in the police and rank it in this manner. But this is Mateyo. And this is probably what makes him one of the most successful police chiefs of our country.

It is said that the attitude, the seriousness of purpose of an individual is measured, basically, by the attitude he takes towards his own problems, shortcomings. And in the same way, Mateyo’s seriousness of purpose as our country’s chief cop should be measured by the attitude he takes towards the problems, deficiencies and shortcomings of our police service.

We say this because when problems or weaknesses are admitted and are subjected to self-criticism, they stand a better chance of being corrected. In this way we can get rid of a bad style and keep the good. Self-criticism is another hallmark that distinguishes Mateyo from others. As we say, dust will accumulate if a room is not cleaned regularly, our faces will get dirty if they are not washed regularly. Our police officers’ minds may also collect dust, and also need sweeping and washing.

The proverb says “Running water is never stale and a door hinge is never worm-eaten”, meaning that constant motion prevents the inroads of germs and other organisms. To check up regularly on our work and in the process develop an honest style of work, to fear neither criticism nor self-criticism and to apply such good popular maxims as “Say all you know and say it without reserve”, “Blame not the speaker but be warned by his words” and “Correct mistakes if you have committed them and guard against them if you have not” – this is the only effective way to prevent all kinds of dust and germs from contaminating the minds of our police officers and the body of our police service.

Taught by mistakes and setbacks, we should become wiser and handle the affairs of our police service better. It is hard for any person to avoid mistakes, but we should make as few as possible. Once a mistake is made, we should correct it, and the more quickly and thoroughly, the better.

We should all really appreciate the efforts Mateyo is making to better our police service. It may not be much but it is something that shouldn’t be ignored. It is said that what a single ant brings to the anthill is very little; but what a great hill is built when each one does their proper share of the work.

There is no doubt police corruption is a complex phenomenon, which does not really submit to simple analysis. It is a problem that has and will continue to affect us all, whether we are ordinary citizens or law enforcement officers. Since its beginnings, many aspects of policing have changed; however, one aspect that has remained relatively unchanged is the existence of corruption.

In simple terms, corruption in policing is usually viewed as the misuse of authority by a police officer acting officially to fulfil personal needs or wants.

It can be said that power inevitably tends to corrupt, and it is yet to be recognised that, while there is no reason to suppose that police officers as individuals are any less fallible than other citizens, people are often outraged when police officers are exposed violating the law. The reason is simple. Their deviance elicits a special feeling of betrayal.
Many reports that have been produced by various organisations dealing with human rights and corruption support Mateyo’s view that corruption is endemic in the police service. The danger of corruption for police is that it may invert the formal goals of the police service and may lead to the use of police power to encourage and create crime rather than to deter it.

Cops often don’t want to turn in other cops; cops don’t want to be a rat. And even when honest cops are willing to blow the whistle, there may not be anyone willing to listen.
Is there a solution to the police corruption problem? Probably not because since its beginnings, many aspects of policing have changed, but one thing that has not is the existence of corruption. The police service, in an attempt to eliminate corruption have tried everything from increasing salaries, requiring more training and education, and developing policies which are intended to focus directly on factors leading to corruption. What have all these changes done to eliminate or even decrease the corruption problem? Little, if not nothing. Despite the police service’s attempts to control corruption, it still occurs. Regardless of this fact, police corruption cannot still be overlooked.

Controlling corruption is the only way we can really limit corruption, because corruption is a by-product of the individual police officer, societal views, and, police environmental factors. Therefore, control must not only come from the police service but must also require the assistance and support of all the citizens.

Controlling corruption within the police requires a strong leadership organisation, because corruption can take place anywhere from the patrol officer to the chief. The top administrator must make it clear from the start that he and other members of his command are against any form of corrupt activity, and that it will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form. If a police administrator does not act strongly with disciplinary action against any corrupt activity, the message conveyed to other officers within the police service will not be that of intimated nature. In addition it may even increase corruption, because officers feel no action will be taken against them.

Another way the police service can control its corruption problem starts originally at Lilayi Police Training College. Ethical decision and behaviour should be promoted, because failing to make officers aware of the consequences of corruption does nothing but encourage it.

Although the police service should be the main source of controlling the corruption problem of its officers, it also requires some support and assistance from the community.
It is important that the public be educated on the negative effects of corruption on their police service. They should be taught that even ‘gratitudes’ – the most basic and common form of police corruption - is only a catalyst for more and future corruption.

If we do not act to try and control police corruption, the costs can be enormous, because it affects not only the individual, the law enforcement community as a whole, but society as well. Police corruption can be controlled; it just takes a little extra effort. In the long run that effort will be well worth it to both the police service and the community or the nation at large.

For these reasons, it is necessary and important that all the necessary support is given to Mateyo to deal with this problem in the same way he has successfully dealt with other crimes in our neighbourhoods. Mateyo is a good cop who deserves support.

Labels: EPHRAIM MATEYO

posted by MrK @ 3:37 AM