Bobbies for Rhodesia to be armed with umbrellas

The Herald, February 16, 1980

LONDON. – The 500 British policemen who will be sent to Rhodesia to help with the election this month have been nicknamed “the brolly brigade”.

In its circular to chief constables calling for volunteers, the Home Office described the weather in Rhodesia as “hot, wet, and humid”.

The Home Office instructed volunteers: “You will take solid shoes, nylon rainwear, and a folding umbrella.”

The policemen, who will not be armed, are expected to wear their traditional uniforms and helmets while on duty outside polling booths during their week’s stay, Iana reports.

British officials have asked the men to wear their uniforms so that they are easily recognisable.

“The group is going to Rhodesia in an impartial role to counter the threat of intimidation of voters, and we want people to be able to identify them without any difficulty,” an official said.

The policemen will have no powers of arrest in Rhodesia – that will be left to their Rhodesian counterparts.

All of Britain’s police forces have been asked to submit the names of five volunteers for every 1 000 men on the strength, with more than two years’ experience and under 45 years old.

The group will be under the supervision of Sir James Haughton, a former Chief Inspector of Constabulary who is the Governor’s police adviser, and under the Election Commissioner, Sir John Boynton.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

When traveling to an unfamiliar place, it is important to do some research and adequately prepare for any eventualities.

When carrying out official duty, it is also important to wear uniforms or items that stand out and make you recognisable.

When one is a foreigner, they should have little or no say in another country. The British policemen were only coming to assist their counterparts. As such, they were not going to be armed or have arresting powers because that was not within their jurisdiction.

The post-independent terrain is no longer what the British authorities did in 1980. Fast-forward to 2023, and we are back to the future, where they want to be in charge of Zimbabwe’s internal affairs.