POLICE CLEAN UP

INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Lemmy Kajoba will have to move mountains to change the public’s perception of the Zambia Police Service.

Mr Kajoba has assumed command when the public’s perception of the Police Service is at an all-time low.

It is an open secret that corruption is rife in the law enforcement wing, more so in the Traffic Service.

But it is the general lack of public confidence in the service that must be restored. And this can only done when the public sees that there is noticeable change in the operations of the men and women in uniform.

Mr Kajoba had his work cut out for him when he was sworn-in as Inspector-General by President Hakainde Hichilema, taking over from Mr Kakoma Kanganja.

Mr Hichilema stressed that he wanted professionalism restored in the operations of the Police Service that would among other attributes enforce the rule of law in a fair manner.

And in the short time that he has been in office, Mr Kajoba has demonstrated that he is equal to the task by hitting the ground running.

He has ordered deputy Commissioners of Police throughout the country to ensure that there is police presence at all markets and bus stations so that political cadres no longer call the shots at these facilities.

He has also won kudos with his novel idea to deploy agents to monitor corrupt activities among the men and women in uniform.

Mr Kajoba yesterday said the command would deliberately deploy secret agents at various points in a bid to catch corrupt officers.

New Hope MMD president Dr Nevers Mumba said, the Inspector General needed to be given a pat on the back for his stance because corruption was rife in the country.

Dr Mumba said has been encouraged by the stance taken by Mr Kajoba to have a professional service and that he needed everyone to rally behind him.

It remains to be seen though how these “spies” within the Police Service would function. In the end, the idea could backfire because of backbiting within the ranks.

What is important though is that there must be a complete change of mindset within the rank and file of the Police Service by which officers must be proud to be in the service.

The mission statement of the Zambia Police Service states among other attributes “to prevent and detect crime, and enforce the law firmly and fairly to create a safe, secure and peaceful environment for social and economic development for all.”

While the public, expects the police to uphold these ideals, it is unfortunate that the officers have lost integrity and that the public perception was bad as they were deemed as corrupt.

What is encouraging is that Mr Kajoba is aware of the huge task ahead of him and has cautioned police officers to always avoid corruption in their discharge of duty.

“All police officers should remember that their conduct is guided by the institutional code of ethics which spelt out principles aimed at promoting professional aspirations for improved performance.

“These core values include integrity, transparency, patriotism, excellence and accountability,” he said.

Mr Kajoba said some areas of concern had been in the traffic section, security check points and inquiries office.

Having noted the corruption that goes on at road blocks, Mr Kajoba should be commended for directing divisional commanders to reduce the number of traffic snap checkpoints and security checkpoints.

But all these efforts will come to nothing if the public does not get involved and play their part by reporting unprofessional conduct to the relevant authorities.

The public must take up the challenge and help him clean up the service.