NORTH/WEST TOP COP CITES OPERATIONAL ILLS

THE dedication to duty by police officers is hampered by poor staffing levels and logistical shortcomings such as transport, funding and modern investigative equipment, North-Western Province Commissioner of Police Hudson Namachila has observed.

Mr Namachila notes that officers were failing to execute their duties properly due to such shortcomings which he said needed to be addressed.

He said the province had rich infrastructure, human resource which was being threatened by rising crime in form of riots, burglaries, murder, rape and defilement among other crimes.

He said with the coming of the investment expo in August this year, the level of investment that needed to be secured would rise to a record high.

‘’And this will call for much closer ties between police and the community to secure our investment and our wealth. Now, this needs the intervention by government in ensuring that the shortcomings by officers are addressed,’’ he said.

He was speaking in Solwezi during the Police Day which was held under the theme ‘’Police and community working together to promote public order and safety for a smart and prosperous Zambia’’

He said police officers will continue to ensure that government programmes are implemented peacefully without hindrance because the role of the police is to support the government of the day.

And gracing the event, Provincial Permanent Secretary Willies Mangimela urged the police command to build stronger ties with the community in the fight against crime.

He said stronger ties with members of the community will enhance efforts by the police to realize a secure and safer environment for the socio economic development.

He also emphasised the need for police officers to remain loyal and support the government of the day as well as desist from indulging in partisan politics.

‘’You must be neutral and professional in the discharging of your police functions,’’ he said. He said the government is aware of the many challenges faced by officers in the discharging of duties.

‘’And it is doing everything possible to improve your working conditions,’’ he added.