Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has acquired body-worn cameras and other technical gadgets as it continues to transform its approach to crime prevention and traffic management in an increasingly complex environment.
Already, police have also procured drones and traffic enforcement cameras, which have since been deployed on various roads across the country.
For accountability, Police Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba announced during the relaunch of the ZRP Client Service Charter last week that no police officer will be deployed without a name tag and a body-worn camera.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday confirmed that the new technology has been acquired.
He said modalities were being finalised to ensure the new system becomes fully operational.
“We have procured the cameras and they will be used with immediate effect. As we speak, the force numbers and name tags are being worked on to make sure that every police officer will have a name tag.
“I can confirm that we have acquired speed cameras which are already on our highways. If you look at Harare Central and Bulawayo Central, they have already started using the drones,” he said.
Body cameras are critical in modern policing for enhancing transparency and increasing accountability for both officers and the public. They help improve evidence collection for prosecutions.
By providing an objective, audio-visual record of interactions, they help build public trust, de-escalate confrontations, reduce complaints against police, and provide valuable training material.
On the other hand speed cameras are effective in monitoring drivers’ behaviour and are scientifically proven to reduce accidents by at least 21 percent.
In his remarks during the relaunch of the ZRP Client Service Charter, Com-Gen Mutamba said professionalism, respect, integrity and impartiality must “be the blood that runs through our veins”.
He said the police are the most visible arm of Government, with citizens interacting with them more frequently.
Com-Gen Mutamba urged officers to be the face of justice, not judgment.
“Very soon, you will notice that no police officer will go out on deployment in police uniform
without wearing his or her name tag.
“Any untoward behaviour by the police officer must be promptly reported to authorities. That is why I am also putting my name tag here. The organisation expects increased public involvement in tackling police corruption.
“Accordingly, let me inform you that we introduced body-worn cameras for police officers. This is a decisive action that brings integrity out of the shadows, encouraging open, accountable and professional policy. The gadgets serve as both a deterrent to misconduct and a shield for honest officers.
“Building on this foundation, technology continues to reshape how we confront crime and manage traffic in an increasingly complex environment,” he said.
Com-Gen Mutamba said modern-day policing requires the effective use of technology and not only relying on traditional ways.
“The use of drones has strengthened our operational capacity by giving us an aerial view of what is happening.”
Over the years, police have been embracing new technologies in bid to cope with an ever changing crime environment.
