Tuhafeni Helao
A month and a half passed by after the Namibian nation inquisitively watched the sending-off procession and parade that saw the ex-police chief retire after 17 years at the helm of one of the most visible institutions of the State in Namibia.
One couldn’t hold back the thought but reflect on what the Namibian Police has been transformed into over the period in question, and the impact policing made in this crime-prone and vulnerable society. Traditionally, these kinds of sending-off events bring back memories of past gruesome crime incidents some of which were not solved, and similarly, coerce citizens to redigest their perceptions of the role of such institution in society, and surgically, the bearing its leadership has in realising shared societal goals, in this case, promotion of safety and security in the country. From the onset, this article maintains that policing is a very sensitive undertaking, hence, a discernible challenge that modern society continues to endure. For public institutions, no person may pontificate and celebrate individual success in the midst of unremitting criminal activities.
Therefore, the police and its leadership cannot claim glory in the face of continuing unabated crimes. Even if there was something to celebrate, it was due to concerted efforts. Universally, the solution to crime requires a composite determination and focus. Policing literature not only maintained but also conceded that the success of any police organisation is appraised through the complete reduction of fear of crime in society, and when such fear has been visibly eased. It is this issue that society expected to hear during the recent decorated change of guard. In the absence of that, this article argued that assuming a leading position, particularly in the armed forces fraternity, does neither imply that you are ‘the first among equals’ nor ends in ‘primus enter pares’ but cautiously an immense responsibility that requires a person to be on top of every game, far and wide.
Therefore, the incumbent faces a mammoth task to promote safety and security and ensure that the fear of crime is completely reduced so that society can frequent and enjoy the public space. This is the real issue and concern that the Namibian Police must address in the post-Ndeitunga era. Whether the predecessor has achieved that is a debate for another day. It is not the purpose of this article to discuss the legacy left behind by the ex-police chief. The establishment of the Namibian Police is a constitutional provision. Article 118 stipulates that “there shall be established by Act of Parliament a Namibian police force with prescribed powers, duties and procedures in order to secure the internal security of Namibia and to maintain law and order.” The preservation of internal security and maintenance of law and order are tall orders, which require not only tested, experienced, skilled, and competent police leadership but also a smart approach to policing. The success or failure of the Namibian Police inescapably depends on the quality of leadership and the capacity of men and women in uniform. The central purpose of police existence is informed by its task at hand, approach, and the direction the force assumes. Nowadays, focusing only on the police’s traditional “main functions” may not be sufficient. Conventional policing approach failed the nation in the past 32 years. Policing should be accepted, embraced, and recognised by the society it serves. Against the backdrop of the above, Ndeitunga’s successor has huge shoes to fill if the Namibian Police is to remain relevant and make an impact in a society already succumbed to poverty, crime, and other imperceptible social phenomenon. Innovative policing is certainly the only option now.
The issue that has been in the public domain for the past 32 years is the quest for police transformation and integration in society. Nevertheless, no fundamental police operational transformation has taken place since 21 March 1990. Yes, the integration of the two warring parties has, to a certain extent, been successful.
However, that could not produce the capacity needed in a transformative society. It has not built the prerequisite policing skills, competences, and knowledge to prove policing comparability. The Namibian Police still lacks expertise in forensic analysis, intelligence-based policing, evidence-based policing, community-based policing, and CompStat policing, to mention but a few. Excellence in these areas has the potential to contain criminal activities and reduce the fear of crime in society. Prudently, the new police chief should tackle police reorganisation beyond traditional policing thinking. The notion of police capacity and strength should be redefined to include and address the issues of quality policing. The Namibian Police force is estimated to command about 14 000 men and women in uniform, serving a population of slightly over 2.6 million people. Thus, the police-population ratio in Namibia seems comparable and manageable.
What is required is focused training, guidance and coaching to allow police officers the opportunity to learn, unlearn and relearn appropriate contemporary policing approaches, thus, developing the police capacity. The new police chief should, at the drop of a hat, map out the best strategy to adroitly make maximum use of the existing manpower to live up to expectations. Surgical analysis of the domestic crime environment specifically in rural villages may be fundamental to addressing and suppressing crimes in Namibia.
These surmountable challenges must be flattened if the police are to remain relevant and comparable to navigate through the 4th industrial revolution predicament Since the inception of the Namibian Police 32 years ago, the country has seen not less than four police chiefs appointed at the helm of this visible public institution, and obligated to lead, at one time, a young and inexperienced police force. This was notwithstanding the fact that crime has no boundaries nor cares whether the force is young, unskilled, or inexperienced. Obviously, such “opportunities make a thief” and encourage the commission of the crime.
Therefore, for a professed seasoned cop, a month and a half at the helm of the police are sufficient to have laid down the roadmap and step to resolutely deliver from the word go. Leading the police in this critical time is a conspicuous role that calls for trust and confidence building in a society already traumatised by crime. Citizens can’t wait to be saved from the hell-like crime environment, characterised by incidents of armed robberies, murder, rape, theft, etc. Regardless of the decorated change of guard, crimes continue unabated. Demandingly, modern policing suggests a smart and inclusive approach to safety and security without which policing will fail. Stakeholders’ active participation reigned supreme. However, this shared policing responsibility matters only when police capacity allows such a strategy. It is only possible when the police chief and his leadership are on top of it.
This article acknowledges efforts made during the past 32 years of the Namibian Police’s existence but maintains that more still needs to be done concerning operational transformation to enable the force to respond effectively to crimes and make it relevant to contemporary crime fighting. This is achievable when the force is objectively trained and adeptly deployed. In this regard, the Namibian Police College can be fundamental to police operational transformation. Upgrading the police college from a mere basic training centre that offers short courses into an accredited police academy may go a long way in building the capacity needed for the force. The new police chief should take advantage of the already well-equipped police college and transform it into a well-established police academy, training officers for tomorrow.
The Namibian nation is still eagerly anticipating to know and hear the police incumbent’s roadmap and course of action to contain ferocious criminal incidents in the country. Filling one’s shoes may mean demarcation of authority and outlining one’s vision for the police organisation so that the nation can hold you accountable in the end.