Don’t listen to selfish individuals, parties: Chihuri

the country.
Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri yesterday said as a people’s force, the police will continue to serve the interests of the public and not those of civic organisations which do not support people oriented policies.  He was addressing 150 senior officers who were recently promoted to the ranks of chief superintendent and superintendent.
“These grumblers given to murmuring and accusations should not compromise your right to unequivocally exercise your powers and authority without fear or favour,” Comm-Gen Chihuri said.
Of the 150 promoted officers, 80, including 10 legal officers were promoted to the rank of chief superintendent, while 70 to the rank of superintendent.  Comm-Gen Chihuri said the pro otion of legal officers was a landmark development in the country which mirrors the force’s commitment to recognise and reward officers with professional and technical qualifications.
“The legal officers have been befittingly elevated in the rank to give them dignity and responsibilities commensurate with their professional qualifications as law officers,” he said.
Comm-Gen Chihuri said the legal officers were recently appointed to the rank of assistant inspector upon completion of their studies and posted to the legal directorate. 
He said the appointment was found to be vastly disproportionate to the responsibilities and professional qualifications of law officers. Comm-Gen Chihuri said the senior officer rank was given to officers who would have amply and consistently demonstrated that they could effectively and efficiently discharge duties and responsibilities at such level. He said as the senior officers, the newly promoted members will realise that as they execute their duties they will encounter some people who want to detract the course of justice by giving false interpretations to suit their personal interests.  He said the promoted officers should have an accurate understanding of their role as stewards of trust, confidence and conviction which had been assigned to them.
“It is my strong conviction that you are not going to face any insurmountable challenges in executing your new roles, given that the force’s procedures, processes and routines are unambiguous,” said Comm-Gen Chihuri.
He said the force’s vision was clear and its mission was not difficult to understand and various roles had been spelt out in the strategic, tactical and operational guidelines. Comm-Gen Chihuri said the officers should be innovative and strive to overcome challenges in their pursuit to diligently discharge their constitutional mandate.