ONDANGWA – A total of 1 857 young recruits are to undergo basic police training which will help alleviate the high unemployment rate among the youth once they are employed in the police force.
This was said by the Minister of Safety and Security Immanuel Ngatjizeko on Monday when he appeared as the guest speaker at the official opening ceremony for the presentation of the course.
The event, which was held at the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre in Ondangwa, signalled the first intake of recruits for the six-month course in basic police training being presented in Ondangwa.
Ngatjizeko called on the recruits to refrain from any kind of misconduct that will tarnish the image of the police.
Ngatjizeko also reminded the recruits of their sole responsibility to protect and respect the laws of the land, adding that police officers are not above the law.
“Avoid a situation where you are law breakers or accused of corruption or rape or any other crime,” said Ngatjizeko.
Ngatijzeko said the Namibian Police Force has called upon the white community to join the force as well and become partners in securing peace in the country. He said the police force does not discriminate – it is for everyone irrespective of the language spoken or skin colour.
Ngatjizeko also applauded the Oshana police for their determination to fight crime in the region. “This is one region in all the 14 regions that is doing its utmost best to fight crime. We have read reports about once a criminal offends they will not go two to three days without being arrested,” said Ngatjizeko and urged the recruits to emulate the good example so that crime can be limited or even wiped out completely.
Also speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga urged the recruits to persevere with the rigid training.
“I don’t want to hear of people surrendering – be strong it is only six months and you are contemplating change? What if it was a year?” questioned Ndeitunga.
He said the recruits should be like the welwitschia plant, which even afterr 2 000 years has not withered – while the nation cannot bestow its trust in a failed police officer.
“Those who fail should pack up and go. Where would you find a public member who wants to be served by someone who has failed?” he further queried.
Oshana Regional Governor Clemens Kashuupulwa applauded the police “for the intervention to fight crime and at the same time create jobs for the youths”.
The intake will see 1 016 male and 841 female cadet constables being trained. The course will include the training of 100 recruits from the Windhoek City Police and Emergency Services.
Three hundred and nine cadets are also in training at Pius Joseph Kaundu in the Omaheke Region and another 309 are being trained at the Katounyana Police Training Centre in Zambezi Region.