Chippa Legodimo
20 March 2008
Local police graduates have been encouraged to continue to empower themselves whilst in service.
Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony in Kanye yesterday deputy permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, Thatayaone Raphaka, warned that as government was planning to merge the local police with the Botswana Police Service competition for progression will be stiff.
"Your learning process does not end here. You should strive to make yourselves better officers. Personal development is important especially that you will be competing with those officers from the Botswana Police Service as you are about to become part of their special units," Raphaka warned.
He said that officers who would train in other competencies whilst in the service will be paid accordingly after completion provided approval has been issued by management before such courses are done.
"No artificial barriers should be placed to prevent any officer from progressing to their desired levels and although government might lack the capacity to take you for further training at once we encourage individuals to take the initiative and enhance their skills in various competencies," Raphaka said.
While congratulating the officers upon the successful completion of their six months' course, Raphaka expressed dismay at the high number of police officers who are involved in criminal activities, especially serious crime.
"This is disheartening indeed considering the investment the government put into your training and the fact that the community trusts you with their lives and property. Concerted efforts are needed to promote a good socio-economic standing and you should be part of those efforts," he said.
He reminded the graduates that as they leave college to take up their posts in various places around the country, the communities will expect nothing but good service from them.
"Your duties go beyond just policing. You have a duty to help fight other social problems facing the communities you will be serving like alcohol abuse and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
"You should be seen helping communities overcome such problems, and if necessary, counselling those you might find with such problems," he said.
Raphaka also emphasised the importance of respecting the cultural norms of the communities that the officers will be serving but warned them against joining the village politics as they could seriously compromise service delivery.
He also warned the officers to be careful in what they do saying "the people will be policing as you police them watching your movements and you should be careful in whatever you do". He implored the officers to uphold high standards of professionalism and ethics that have been traditional with the police service.
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