Maravi

Police note reduced crime on Copperbelt

Police note reduced crime on Copperbelt
By Fridah Nkonde in Ndola
Sun 01 Jan. 2012, 13:40 CAT

COPPERBELT Police Commissioner Mary Tembo says general crime levels on the province have reduced in 2011 compared to 2010. During the Copperbelt police annual ball on Friday in Ndola, Tembo also says 2011 was a challenging year for the police service due to September 20 general elections. She said violent crimes and copper thefts had reduced.

"Other crimes that have recorded a drastic reduction this year are those to do with gender-based violence (GBVs). You may wish to know that the United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is sponsoring a pilot programme called Copperbelt Rapid Response to Gender-Based Violence and Child Justice. This programme has seen the successful training of 467 community crime prevention unit officers in GBV cases and crime prevention methods," she said.

And Tembo said police on the Copperbelt successfully policed the elections and the reported sporadic post election violent cases were handled with maximum professionalism.

She said the support the police service received from government was appreciated and that the appointment of female provincial commissioners was very encouraging.

"I am one of those that have benefited as the first woman provincial commissioner for Copperbelt. The 200 recently constructed housing units for our officers and supply of 27 motor vehicles would go a long way in motivating our officers," she said.

She said the police service on the Copperbelt was going to fight corruption, illegal miners, and the jerabos.

Tembo said the police was aware that illegal miners and jerabos were a dreadful cancer that required to be robustly fought.

She also stated that the police service would remain non-partisan but "will strive to perform our constitutional roles professionally."

And Copperbelt permanent secretary Christopher Mutembo said police officers had all the reasons to celebrate given the various successes they had scored in 2011.

In a speech delivered for him by Ndola district commissioner Solomon Sakala, Mutembo urged men and women in uniform to change their mindset and work culture and ensure that they supported the government of the day.

He further urged them to act in the manner that would not let members of the public lose confidence in them.

Labels: COPPERBELT PROVINCE, CRIME, POLICE

posted by MrK @ 5:30 PM