adminTHE duty of the police is to ensure that members of the public uphold the laws of the land. Guided by their service charter which acts as the yard stick with which they measure performance, the police must bring about public confidence in their operations by ensuring that everyone complies with the law as enshrined in the Constitution of this country.
We take pride in recent statements by the police in Manicaland to the effect that crime had reduced by seven percent from January to June this year compared to the same period last year.
During a service charter re-launch in Mutare recently, Officer Commanding Crime, Assistant Commissioner Ndebele, said the crime reduction was a result of team work between the police and various stakeholders in the society.
The overall crime rate in January to June 2013 was 4 828, but it dropped to an impressive 4495 in January to June 2014.
Apart from ensuring public safety, a crime-free environment is conducive for business and therefore it is in tandem with the objectives of Zim-Asset.
Members of the public must be reminded that for the police to effectively carry out their operations there should be maximum co-operation from them.
Crimes are committed within communities and the evidence to solve them is with the people. Cops must create a good working relation with the public through doing their work diligently.
A corrupt police force will always have problems dealing with the people because no one will have confidence in them. When that happens people — even children — will hide criminals because they have no reason to co-operate with dirty cops.
We urge the powers that be in the police force to weed out criminal elements within that are masquerading as genuine officers of law.
We take sides with Asst Comm Ndebele when he says corruption has no room in the force.
He urged members of the public to tip the police on any corrupt activities they suspect.
We put our weight behind him.
The level of corruption that is being exhibited by traffic police officers requires a holistic counteractive measure to weed out those involved.
Although senior police officers are instituting periodic spot checks on blocks mounted on the highways, the corruption syndicates have become highly sophisticated, involving members of the public.
This is not confined to traffic police officers only for some crimes are being swept under the carpet.
The lower bracket of the society bore the brunt of all this for those with money will do everything to avoid jail while those without will always find the going tough.
Fighting crime is not a task of the police only but a shared concern. Businesses must also chip in and work hand-in-glove with law enforcement agents.
This equips them with the right skills to protect their investment from criminals and covert operations by their workers.
In order to achieve their Vision 2020 target of a crime-free Zimbabwe, the police must work to improve on achieved goals and aim higher.
Online Reporter