Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
POLICE officers must maintain high standards discipline and professionalism, as well as shun corruption so that the next generation will be proud to join the force, Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba has said.
He made the remarks at the graduation of 622 cadets at the Police Staff College yesterday.
The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner-General Mind Elliot Ngirandi, who was representing Comm-Gen Mutamba, Principal Police Staff College Commissioner Edward Tshuma, University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo, Chief Director Immigration Ms Respect Gono, Zimbabwe Builders Contractors Association head Dr Tinashe Manzungu, service chiefs and senior Police officers.
Courses completed included a Certificate in Training Methods, Certificate in Traffic Management, Certificate in Staff Administration, Certificate in Law and Policing, Diploma in Law, Diploma in Business Enterprises Development in Policing, Diploma in Public Relations, Diploma in Cyber Security Management, and Diploma In Community Education and Life Long Learning in Policing.
In his speech, Comm-Gen Mutamba said the economics of crime, the psychology of a community in trauma, the intricate architecture of a cyber-fraud network, the leadership required to steady a team during a crisis.
“You have been learning how to read the land, anticipate the seasons of criminality, and guide the younger strength behind you. It is against this background, that I am pleased to address you on this historic and hopeful day.
“We are gathered not just to celebrate academic achievement, but to witness the creation of a new generation of leaders for a new era of policing. We are here to reaffirm our shared vision for a modern, professional, people-centred, and technologically-driven Zimbabwe Republic Police,” he said.
He said their national vision, as charted by President Mnangagwa, painted a picture of a Zimbabwe, awakened and prosperous, by 2030.
“Yet this grand vision rests upon the solid foundation of peace and security. Economic growth cannot flourish amid instability; development cannot bloom where fear takes root. Only through the vigilant watch of a Police Service grounded in professionalism, ethics and technologically-empowered, can the seeds of progress take firm root and bear fruit.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is actively evolving to better fulfil its constitutional mandate. The 622 officers before us are more than just graduates; they are the living essence of our motto; For the Law, for the Country, and for the People. It is also inspiring to see a growing number of female police officers taking part in programmes that enhance their skills and competences.
“Furthermore, this affirms the view that enrolling the female students in such huge numbers is not merely for fulfilling a female quota but goes to attest the organisation’s high regard for women’s contribution to the development of Zimbabwe Republic Police, in particular and the country in general,” Comm Gen Mutamba said.
He said the inclusion of 21 students from sister services tells a story more eloquent than any speech.
“It tells us that the monster of crime confronting us, grows many heads; cybercrime, armed robbery, terrorism, among others. We cannot slay this beast with a solitary machete wrought by a siloed mindset. We must fight as a single, unified and compact fist, typical of a seamless security architecture, as our Constitution demands.
“We stand on the precipice of history, looking out at a world transforming at light-speed. The criminal mind has shed its old skin. The pickpocket of yesteryear has evolved into the digital ghost, stealing not from your pocket, but from the silent vaults of your data.
“The smuggler has traded his back alley for the shadowy corridors of the dark web. This is why our transformation is not a matter of policy; it is a matter of survival. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is undergoing a profound metamorphosis; a digital transformation.
“However, this is not about replacing the human heart of policing with a cold, silicon chip. It is about giving that heart a stronger beat. It is about granting our officers the foresight to see around corners, the precision to dissect a crime scene with data, and the wisdom to protect even our own officers from the corrosive temptation of corruption by minimising compromising interactions,” he said.
Comm Gen Mutamba said as the officers stepped out from the college and re-enter into the theatre of life, they would face moments of profound moral ambiguity.
“The textbook will fall silent, and the noise of the world will grow loud. In those moments of trial, I charge you to listen for the quiet, steady pulse of the values instilled here: Professionalism, integrity, accountability. Let them be the compass that guides you through the darkest moments.
“And let us speak plainly of discipline. The Police uniform is not a costume of authority; it is a mantle of sacred service. When you button the tunic, you are cloaking yourself in the collective hope of every citizen. A stain upon that fabric is a wound upon the soul of our nation. I charge you to be its fiercest protectors. Excellence will be your crown, and failure will be met with the swift, impartial scales of justice,” he said.
“As I conclude, I look upon your faces; all I see is a gallery of ambition, courage, and potential. You are not the last line of defence; you are the first line of a new chapter. You are the digital detectives solving crimes that have not yet been committed, the guardians of mobility and road safety, ensuring our nation’s citizens continue to move freely, the bridge-builders who will mend, connection by connection, the trust between the people and their police.”
Principal Police Staff College Commissioner Edward Tshuma said at international level, the college was a distinguished member of the International Association of Police Academies which comprised of 80 institutions from 63 countries. “Equally, this year, the college was accepted as a member of the INTERPOL Global Virtual Academy which comprises of 12 countries,” he said.
He said in keeping with their organisational thrust on human capital development, the college remained fully committed to advancing the academic and professional growth of its staff.
In the area of research, the college successfully undertook a needs assessment survey and curriculum development for training of private security guards in line with the Cabinet decision matrix (2022) and the final report has been submitted to relevant authorities for consideration.
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo, said the Police Staff College stood as a catalyst for social justice and sustainable development, empowering graduates not only to build the nation but also to transform society through skills, knowledge, and production of goods and services.
“Furthermore, I challenge the Police Staff College to continue aligning its training programmes with Heritage-Based Education 5.0 philosophy by intensifying research in crime prevention, establishing innovation hubs, and developing industrial parks that provide home-grown solutions to policing challenges such as cybercrime, drug abuse, human trafficking, and other transnational organised crimes,” he said.
Prof Mapfumo said UZ and ZRP have enjoyed a fruitful partnership since 1996 when the college earned its maiden associateship status.
