Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A total of 797 police officers graduated this Thursday at Mkushi Camp (formerly Morris Depot) in Harare after completing a two‑year training course.
The event was officiated by Commissioner‑General of Police Stephen Mutamba.
Of the 797 officers who graduated, 242 are female while 555 are male.
They are now holders of a Diploma in Police Studies.
In his address, Comm‑Gen Mutamba said modern policing is complex and multifaceted, hence the need for dynamic and continuous human capital development.
“As you graduate today, I have no doubt in your capacity to deliver, given the wide range of areas covered during your training. Subjects such as forensic investigation, criminal law, the law of evidence and cybercrime investigation, among others, have become central pillars of the modern law‑enforcement landscape. The fact that you covered them extensively provides some guarantee of your preparedness to acquit yourselves in the policing complexities that lie ahead in your careers.
“The intersection of technological advancement and human ingenuity, while positively transforming society, has also given rise to increasingly sophisticated forms of crime. In such an evolving environment, society’s watchmen can no longer be mere spectators, you must be practitioners of cyber‑security and proponents of intelligence‑led policing. Equally, public confidence in the criminal‑justice system rests heavily on the police officer’s ability to properly identify, gather and preserve evidence that supports the delivery of justice and fortifies a just society,” he said.
Comm‑Gen Mutamba said their ability, as custodians of national peace and security, to fulfil this sacred constitutional obligation forms a firm foundation for the national developmental aspirations set out in Vision 2030.
“You must remain mindful that failure at an individual level contributes to organisational weakness and ultimately undermines national development. A police officer who ignores traffic violations may later confront the tragic loss of innocent lives resulting from that neglect.
“Likewise, failure to respond promptly to a crime scene often results in lost evidence, cases that become unnecessarily difficult to resolve, and lost hope for a crime victim.
“It is only through dedicated service, anchored in professionalism, integrity and commitment, that you will be effective in the duty you have sworn to perform. Remain disciplined and guided by the Police Code of Ethics at all times,” he said.
The graduation ceremony was attended by Cabinet ministers, the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ambassador Raphael Faranisi; the Chief Director in the Department of Immigration, Ms Respect Gono; the Registrar‑General of the Civil Registry Department, Mr Henry Machiri; service chiefs; senior Government officials; and police officers.
Also present were retired senior officers, including former Police Commissioner‑General Godwin Matanga, Deputy Commissioner‑General Innocent Matibiri, Deputy Commissioner‑General Josephine Shambare and Deputy Commissioner‑General Erasmus Makodza, among other officials.
