RUNDU – Outgoing Kavango West police commander, Commissioner Josephat Abel yesterday handed over the reins to Julia Sakuwa-Neo.
Abel, who goes into retirement today, was the Kavango West top cop since 2017.
When handing over power to the new regional commander, Abel encouraged her not to be the indoor officer but rather to be available for community engagements and be on the ground.
“During my stay in the region, we have been working closely with the community. Community engagement is important,” he noted, while handing over the instruments of power to his successor at an official handover event in Nkurenkuru
yesterday.
Abel further urged the officers to continue to deliver quality service and said, “for those I offended, it was not intentional. I was harsh not intentionally but it was necessary for the sake of better service to our community,” he said, as he bid farewell to his fellow officers.
“I use to say there are times where we can relax the law, not necessarily that anything you find fault in must warrant arrest, especially less serious offences. In my view, there are times we can educate the public, because some people are committing offences without knowing they are in the wrong, problem solving is very important,” he said.
“I’m going to be in society but I will still provide guidance and advice, I’m readily available,” he promised.
On her part, the new regional commander vowed to work hard to fight crime and make Kavango West a better and safe place for everyone.
“I would like to appreciate the inspector general and his management who believed in my capability and made it possible for me to be appointed into this position, I feel greatly honoured to have such a support system,’’ Commissioner Sakuwa-Neo noted.
The new commander said it is indeed a challenge for her to take over the reins from a veteran and experienced commander who has successfully commanded several regions with great achievements but it is also an opportunity for her to continue the great work started by the veteran officer.
“He has built this beautiful house that needs to be maintained, he has done all the ground work that should be carried forward and left a legacy that must be cherished and kept alive and in order to achieve that, I will need the support of all, be it from our police force, political and traditional leadership, the church leaders and the business community as well as the community,” she said.
“Together we will fight this common enemy called crime, I therefore appeal for support and cooperation. In my capacity as the incoming regional commander, we will strive to work together with all and I will engage more with the community because through community policing, we achieve great results,” she noted.
The new commander assured the region that along with the help and cooperation of such a hardworking and experienced team, she will work tirelessly and perform to the best of her ability for the benefit of the people of the region and country at large.