Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has rolled out its revamped Client Service Charter across the country, aiming to strengthen police-community relations and improve responsiveness to public concerns and complaints.
Client Service Charters serve as formal agreements that define service standards and accountability for both public and private entities.
Police’s renewed charter is anchored on four key pillars designed to enhance efficiency, accountability, and public confidence.
The charter, which is being unveiled in most provinces and districts, outlines the minimum service benchmarks expected of officers during daily interactions with the public.
The four pillars are Response to calls and public interaction; Crime management; Traffic Management and Community assistance.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that senior officers across the country are engaging the public on the charter.
The development follows remarks in February by Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba, who stated that officers must embody professionalism, integrity and impartiality to earn public trust and serve the nation effectively.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 ZRP Client Service Charter, Comm-Gen Mutamba said: “As the most visible arm of Government, we must embody professionalism, respect, integrity and impartiality. Let us be a beacon of hope rather than fear, the face of justice instead of judgment.”
He urged communities to see police officers not as an occupying force, but as members of the same national family.
Meanwhile, senior police officers of the rank of Chief Superintendent – typically officers commanding districts and heading various departments – are attending a training workshop in Harare as part of intensified efforts to improve service delivery.
Comm Nyathi said the senior officers were drawn from various districts and departments countrywide. On Thursday, they were addressed by Comm-Gen Mutamba, who urged them to remain professional.
“As the training and capacitation of ZRP members continues, the Commissioner-General of Police addressed a contingent of Chief Superintendents at ZRP Sport Club, Mkushi Academy this afternoon. The training workshop is part of the ZRP’s commitment to improve service delivery to Zimbabweans,” Comm Nyathi said.
Separately, more than 38 police instructors graduated last week at Shamva Battle Camp, while police inspectors underwent a junior officers’ command course at Buchwa Training Centre. The instructors’ pass-out parade was presided over by Deputy Commissioner-General (Human Resources) Mind Elliot Ngirandi.
In March, 39 police officers graduated from Mkushi Camp (formerly Morris Depot) in Harare after a three-month rigorous training programme. These officers are responsible for transforming civilians into trained police personnel.
Speaking at that event, Principal Police Staff College Commissioner Edward Tshuma said: “Human capital development, in any organisation, forms the basis of its effectiveness and continued relevance.
“In line with the Zimbabwe Republic Police Strategic Plan Moonshot 2030 and the national aspirations of Vision 2030, the ZRP has made deliberate efforts to embrace training so that it is in tandem with the trajectory of national development. Central to this effort is innovation by all rank and file.”
The officers covered subjects including Foot and Arms Drill, Training Methods, Management of Training, Basic Concepts of Micro-Teaching (theory and practice), as well as counter-insurgency training.
Charters are known to be wishes that are well framed and decorate police stations walls. What the people require are well trained officers who are proud of their operations to the point where they can resist temptation of going wayward. The current crop of officers doesn’t understand the importance of being unique individuals that must discharge their mandate without fear or favour. I challenge the bosses in the police force to get these Kombis they impound and drive them like what is done on the roads. They will be shocked if they are honest that they don’t know what happens on our roads. Police officers cannot arrest errand Kombi or mishikashika drivers because they require transport to go home at the end of their shifts. Service charters don’t take them home at the end of the shift. Service Charters don’t provide stationery at their police posts. Service Charters don’t give them proper uniform, they don’t feed them, they don’t pay their rent. These are some of the problems that police officers are faced with on daily basis hence they indulge in corruption at every opportunity. Our officers live with people they are supposed to arrest when they err. For example how do we expect a police officer to arrest his landlord who peddles drugs? A landlord who runs a mushikashika? Service Charters can be created and hung on walls of police stations but they mean nothing unless basic requirements for good police work are put in place.