Sakeni demands discipline in police operations

Sakeni demands discipline in police operations
By Allan Mulenga in Kafue
Mon 05 Dec. 2011, 13:57 CAT

OPPRESIVE conduct and the use of lethal weapons will not be tolerated in the way police officers conduct business, says Kennedy Sakeni.

During the pass-out parade of 344 paramilitary officers at Geoffrey Mukuma Training School, popularly known as Sondela, held on Saturday, Sakeni, who is home affairs minister, said police officers needed to be mindful of the rights of citizens when discharging their duties .

I need to remind you that the Constitution of Zambia contains the Bill of Rights which includes the protection of life and property among others. These are principally some of the many of your responsibilities you should observe at all times, he said.

Sakeni urged police officers to exercise discipline and be loyal to the government of the day.

Zambia has been an oasis of peace for the past 47 years. The Zambia Police has been one of the key security institutions that have contributed to this peace. I am happy that the Zambian people continue to enjoy peace and stability which is necessary for any meaningful development, he said.

Sakeni said the stability currently being experienced in the country had contributed to the growth of foreign investment.

Investors would not want to risk their investments in a country where crime and civil disorder thrives. I wish to implore the Inspector General of Police and the entire Police Service to continue working hard to reduce crime and corruption in our country, he said.

Sakeni said the government was aware of the challenges faced by police officers.

Government is aware that despite the many challenges under which you operate such as lack of adequate logistics and low staffing levels, you are determined to fight crime and corruption, he said.

Sakeni said the government was in the process of harmonising the condition of service for police officers in line with those of other defence and security wings.

Government wants all police formations throughout the country to be networked to ensure that policing is done in an effective and efficient manner. This facility will be complemented with improved radio communication in both rural and urban areas, he said.

Sakeni said the government would continue with the construction and purchase of houses for police officers.

Areas that require houses such as Luapula, Lusaka, North Western and Western divisions among others will also benefit. I wish to direct the Inspector General of Police to advise government properly on this issue so that the needy areas are targeted first. As soon as we secure supplementary funding for infrastructure development, we should immediately embark on these development programmes, said Sakeni.

And Inspector General of Police Dr Martin Malama urged graduating paramilitary officers to serve the people with dignity.

Dr Malama said the police command expected police officers to use non-lethal methods in their operations.

We would like to reiterate that use of non-lethal method will be the method of operation that is expected of us as a police service. And therefore, to you graduating officers as you get in the field and to you serving officers, we should ensure that we discharge our responsibilities with great dignity than causing such an embarrassment on the police service and indeed on the government of this Republic, said Dr Malama.