adminThe Herald, July 26, 1996
FORTY-TWO police recruits graduated at Morris Depot in Harare yesterday at a ceremony officiated for the first time by a female police officer.
The reviewing officer, Senior Staff Officer (Internal Investigations), Assistant Commissioner Marian Tigere, has served in the organisation for 30 years.
Besides being the first female police officer to officiate at such an occasion, the graduation ceremony was also special to her as it coincided with the date she was attested into the force, July 25, 1966.
On her being given the opportunity to be the reviewing officer, Asst Comm Tigere said she took it as a pleasing sign of the changing times in the history of the force.
When Asst Comm Tigere joined the force in 1966, she worked for the uniformed branch for seven years before she moved to join the Criminal Investigation Department, where she is still serving.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
Over the years, the uniformed forces have been exemplary through their gender policies, which have seen a number of women entering the police forces at low levels, rising through the ranks to become senior officers and policy decision makers.
The recognition of women is done on merit, but more women officers are needed in key decision-making positions.
Being a police officer is a challenging job. Each day has its own problems as criminals get more and more sophisticated.
It is commendable that the first democratic Government not only retained officers who served under the Smith regime, but they also rewarded them through promotion for their professionalism, expertise and dedication to duty.
Asst Comm Tigere was among the female officers who held various officer commanding positions in the Criminal Investigation Department.
Online Reporter