adminto fight crime.
Launching the network yesterday, Police Assistant Commissioner Cannan Mugumira (Operations Harare Province), said it was important for the police and churches to work together.
He said the idea of forging a smart relationship became a reality when 94 pastors of different denominations came together and pledged to give their service and offer what seems to have been the missing link in the fight against crime.
“It is only that in Christian circles it is referred to as sin whilst in legal circles it is known as crime.
“As such, this network was born in order to foster a good and strong symbiotic relationship between the police and the churches,” he said.
Asst Comm Mugumira said the network will also create an increased information base for the police as pastors will be able to pass it on to their congregations.
He said the pastors from the network will work with police chaplains to give spiritual support to the police officers.
“Police work is regarded as one of the most stressful jobs throughout the world as such the need for spiritual counselling becomes paramount.
“The Bible says in the book of Proverbs 11vs 14, ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety’. This is one of the key areas which the network will be expected to cover,” he said.
Asst Comm Mugumira warned people who masquerade as pastors yet they were criminals not to take advantage of the network.
Pastors undergo a Police workshop first and were awarded certificates.
Christian Community Police network chairman Reverend Steven Gwenzi urged pastors to work very hard in teaching good morals.
“To my fellow co-workers (pastors), this is a challenge as well as an opportunity before us.
“We must strive in season and out of season to teach and practice good moral values. Our morals must be beyond expectations,” he said.
Online Reporter