WINDHOEK – Some police officers feel promotions in the force are implemented in an unfair manner.
They feel some police officers are being overlooked, while others are promoted rapidly.
“These promotions are causing people to get high blood pleasure, but I don’t get (high blood pressure) I did not join the force for rank,” a warrant-officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said.
Some people have higher ranks but they still do not have houses.
Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, the head of the police’s Public Relations Division informed New Era on Thursday that those police officers who have been AWOL (absent without official leave) most and those that have been doing their private business during work “are the ones screaming on top of their lungs”. He added that he has been a deputy director and a deputy commissioner for 18 years but he is not screaming at the top of his lungs.
Kanguatjivi said maybe some police officers are being overlooked “but it’s difficult to over-generalise”.
He said every case should be looked at based on its merit, urging the affected police members to come forward because “running to the press to spread rumours won’t help”.
Police promotions are done every year. The ranks are (from highest) Lieutenant General, Major General, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Inspector, Warrant-Officer Class 1, Warrant-Officer Class 2, Sergeant Officer Class 1 and Sergeant Officer Class 2.
Some unhappy officers have been sergeants for a long time, hence feel they are unfairly being overlooked.
The deputy commissioner further explained that when promotions are considered, the force looks at how long one has been in a position, and how they have been performing. What is also considered is whether a member has departmental or criminal cases pending, sober habits and whether the member has been absent from work.
The names are then forwarded to the promotion panel by supervisors for consideration.
He said the police requested N$100 million for promotions but it only received N$280 000.
By Tunomukwathi Asino