WINDHOEK – Hundreds of entry-level police officers deserting the force are in unison that the quest for better wages is the main reason most of them resign from the police force and jump at the enticing salaries dangled before them by other institutions.
Under the current structure, the annual salary of the lowest ranked 8 446 staff in the police each month rake in N$8 773.70 before deductions, putting their annual salary before deductions at N$105 285 for each of the constables.
The gap in salary per year between the salary of a constable and that of the police chief, the Inspector General is N$765 907 as the top-ranked police officer earns N$72 658 per month before deductions or N$871 192 per year.
Most of the vacant posts within the force are also found in the lowest ranks of the police force with 5 200 vacancies in the constable rank.
Currently only 14 264 of the 22 161 vacancies are filled. Officers have spoken of low wages, favouritism when it comes to promotion and the fact that they are prohibited by law from joining any trade union.
New Era spoke to some constables and cadet police officers who shared their anguish and frustration over their low salaries. They also said most of their colleagues abandon the force because of the low salaries.
One such constable who cited victimisation from his superiors at the recruitment department said currently he is enrolled with a local tertiary institution as he plans to resign by 2015 to look for greener pastures.
“I am planning to resign once I complete my studies. I am tired of this nonsense. We don’t have freedom of speech in the police. We are not even allowed to join unions but we are in an independent Namibia. Our commanders never listen to us as juniors,” he complained.
Another constable said they get “peanuts” which is not commensurate with the work they do.
“We sacrifice to work overtime for the government but there is no compensation. If you come with N$200 to me as a bribe I will take it because I need to buy food. The N$4 000 we get paid is not enough. We have kids to look after and we also need to pay rent. I will accept any bribe coming my way since I am desperate for money. Most of us are studying without their knowledge and sooner or later we will leave the force,” said the policeman.
Another constable based in Oshakati echoed similar sentiments, saying police officers with low ranks need salary adjustments to complement their workload, improve their livelihoods and boost morale in the force.
“These low salaries force us to resign from the police. We earn peanuts while we’re are doing a lot of work. We don’t claim overtime. For us to survive, we need to use common sense and that is to accept bribes. We have families to support. We are forced to use our own discretion to reach the end of the month, even if you don’t want to be a corrupt cop,” he remarked.
A former cop who resigned in 2010 for a brighter future at a local bank says he left because of the “unconducive working environment”.
He says life has since improved and he is now able to afford a house.
“I resigned from the force because of the low salary. People who are committed in the force are not the ones who get promoted. There is favouritism from bosses. You work overtime but people do not get paid for it. Most of them take cash loans and become frustrated. They also end up accepting bribes to survive,” narrated the officer.
Last week both Ndeitunga and the head of NamPol’s Human Resources Directorate, Commissioner Abed Kashihakumwa both spoke about the lack of financial resources in the force during separate interviews with this publication.
Ndeitunga said the police are trying their level best to improve the conditions for force members, but their plans are constrained by the endemic lack of funds.
He also called for patriotism among young Namibians to show love for their country by joining the police force to protect their country.