Police to roll out new traffic model
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police is working on a new model on traffic de-congestion in Harare, which will involve the use of whistles by police officers.
Traffic officers are undergoing training on the new system.
This was revealed by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga (pictured right) during a meeting between senior police officers and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Dr Obert Mpofu in Harare on Thursday.
The meeting was meant to review policing initiatives and progress made in the last two months.
“The organisation shall be launching traffic-decongesting teams at all major intersections starting with Harare,” Com-Gen Matanga said.
“We are currently in the process of training traffic officers who will control traffic movements at identified traffic intersections and they will use whistles together with smart hand signals for the purpose.”
Comm-Gen Matanga said the Cycle Unit was also being reconfigured and would be deployed in residential areas.
“It is hoped that the Cycle Unit will operate more effectively in areas where there are reduced volumes of vehicular traffic,” Com-Gen Matanga said.
“The idea is to improve police visibility and crime prevention. The ZRP shall, as on-going initiative, analyse current establishments within its structure to identify redundant stations and sections or those whose functions are operationally duplicative of others.
“All these initiatives will in due course be replicated in other provinces. And, resources permitting, the Cycle Unit shall also cover the industrial areas.”
He added: “Our desire is to ensure prompt attendance of crime scenes and the deterrence of criminals from committing crime. Indeed, we remain seized with our role in the socio-economic development of our beloved nation.”
Com-Gen Matanga said the ZRP Call Centre was relocating to Police General Headquarters from Chikurubi to improve communication with the populace.
“The Call Centre will be enhanced and restructured to ensure that concerns from the public get responsible attention,” he said. “As an organisation, we will come with a battery of initiatives to improve service delivery and supervision. To this end, meaningful performance shall determine officers’ promotion and placement.”
Comm-Gen Matanga said in some cases, police operations were impeded by political interference.
“With your able guidance, we are confident that our presence shall be felt,” he said. “What we promise is that we shall always seek to deliver.”