adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
A TOTAL of 598 police officers on Friday graduated at a colourful ceremony at Ntabazinduna Training Depot after completing a six-month training course. Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri said the graduation was special as it came when the nation had just celebrated 34 years of independence.
He applauded the graduands for choosing to selflessly serve the nation.
“I wish to heartily welcome these young and energetic police officers, who comprise 445 males and 153 females into this old but noble profession. I would like to commend them for their resilience and bravery which saw them completing this meticulous six months long competence based recruit programme,” said Comm Gen Chihuri.
“I am delighted to note that the comprehensive curriculum is relevant to the dynamic and ever elvoving nature of policing and will invariably contribute to the requisite skills for a successful career.”
Comm Gen Chihuri said it was important for the history of Zimbabwe to continue being included in the training curricular.
“Let us remember that the studying of our country’s history is not just for personal knowledge but also serves as an essential tool for us to appreciate where we are coming from, who we are and where we are going.
“Undeniably our founding principles and values as Zimbabweans are entrenched in the history of our country,” he said.
Comm Gen Chihuri reminded police officers that it was their duty to uphold the law in its entirety for the country and for the people.
All police officers, he added, should draw inspiration from the dictates of the country’s history as they carry out their duties.
“The discharge of our duties is done through a litany of pieces of legislation that enunciate the parameters of our operations.
“Any loss of life, injury or maiming of any member of the public is regrettable because our prime mandate is to safeguard life and prevent injuries to any person, be they citizens or those who visit our country and of course protecting property,” said Comm Gen Chihuri.
He expressed concern over the high road carnage, especially during the just ended Easter and Independence holidays.
Although the number of accidents went down from 301 last year to 287, Comm Gen Chihuri said it was sad that most of the accidents were a result of negligence by drivers of both public service and private vehicles.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Matabeleland North Province Cde Cain Mathema, senior commissioners of police, senior government officials, captains of industry and graduands’ relatives and friends.
Online Reporter