FIRE CORRUPT COPS

TRAFFIC officers in the Zambia Police Services have continued to post negative scores at the heels of a stern warning against impropriety from Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo. Corruption has permeated the moral fibre of many officers in this section to the extent that they elect to ignore the Minster’s guidance which was also made to all members of the general public during a recent media briefing. Sadly, cases of corruption among traffic officers abound. Three days ago, a video footage went viral on social media of a traffic police officer intimidating a motorist of Asian origin. The officer, in fact, became physical. Very embarrassing! In many instances, officers resort to harassment of motorists as a filthy strategy to arm-twist them into a corrupt act. It is now evident that a good number of officers in this section are now making a living from corruption; they are living beyond their means. The dirt does not end on junior officers who mount illegal road-blocks, but extend way up the rank and file of senior officers. This is why such a cancer has been very difficult to eradicate. The top police command has now and again meted out disciplinary action against erring officers including on a female officer who was caught on camera receiving a bribe in Mpika from a truck driver. In the latest case, Inspector-General of Police Kakoma Kanganja ordered disciplinary action against the officer who verbally and physically abused a motorist in Lusaka. It appears though that officers are immersed in corruption and its spin-offs that have become lucrative such that they have failed to disentangle themselves. This is a filthy habit. Mr Kampyongo made very important observations when he announced a wide range of measures aimed at placating mucky tendencies among officers. The measures include rotating the officers from one section to another on programmed intervals. However, such a measure may not be effective as officers will simply carry along the bad habits to their new work stations. For instance, a corrupt traffic officer would not heal simply because he or she is in a different section. They would equally pollute their new portfolios. As long as there is contact with suspects, complainants and other members of the public, a corrupt officer would coerce people into acts of bribery. Thus the police command must upscale retraining of officers in various issues including human rights, corruption and ethics among many other aspects. They should also be armed with pleasant interpersonal skills. It is also important to ensure that the recruitment process is tight while erring officers must expeditiously be shown the exit route. Members of the public, motorists included, must equally desist from submitting bribes to these uncultured officers. They should instead report officers who attempt to solicit for bribes. In a corrupt act, there is a giver and a receiver; both are liable to criminal prosecution. Many a time, the blame is targeted at officers. The fight against corruption in the police service and indeed in many other public institutions should be fought from all fronts. This means, therefore, that motorists and other members of the public must equally receive a tonic for them to fully appreciate that the one who gives a bribe is an accomplice. An effective education campaign must be rolled out throughout the country in a more attractive fashion. Making pronouncements during media briefings must be followed by serious campaigns in communities. In particular, public transport drivers must be the prime target. A clean up exercise in the Zambia Police Service is inevitable!