Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo continues to implore senior officers to style up and provide improved services to the public or face his wrath, including demotion.

Shikongo on two separate occasions implored senior officials to work hard and ensure the public gets value for money.

“I am preparing you for the future to take this organisation to great heights,” he said during a capacity-building workshop for the country’s A Class police station commanders held at Rundu last week.

During the parade on promotion of officers and conferment of ranks on Wednesday, at Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in the Khomas region, the police chief said, “I think the time has come for all of us to start working. Time has come for us to serve our communities, for us to provide quality services to our communities.”

A total number of 911 officers have been promoted effective 1 February 2024; whereby 490 are male, while 421 are female which represent 46%.

About 50 officers have been promoted from Inspector to Chief Inspector, 300 have been promoted from Inspector to Senior Inspector, 469 have been promoted from Warrant officer 1 to Inspector, 90 have been promoted from Warrant officer 2 to Warrant officer 1 while two officers promoted from Sergeant 2 to Sergeant 1. 

In addition, Shikongo has confer ranks to 27 officers from various directorates and divisions, whereas the remaining will be conferred by their respective regional commanders.  

Meanwhile, a total of 4 682 officers were promoted during the first phase of the promotion 2023, whereby 2 638 are male, while 2 044 are female, which represents 44% of the total promoted officers.

“You should lead by example in upholding the functions and values of the force, and take note that it is also your duty and responsibility to instil discipline among your subordinates,” he said.

Shikongo told station commanders they must make sure that communities are safe. 

“I want to associate myself with the Namibian Police one day when I am out there and say, look at the organisation that I once served, doing wonders,’’ he said.

The police chief observed that he was disappointed by some station commanders, who have been performing poorly at various police stations across the country. 

Shikongo wants to see capable and fit senior officials to deliver the best
services needed, and threatened that those putting the name of the organisation in disrepute would be demoted.

“That’s why we are saying, we will not hesitate to appoint proper and fit
people. I will continue doing that, and after this engagement there definitely will be room for improvement. 

After this course, I will definitely do the best I can, and if you are not performing, it’s not only a question of transferring you somewhere; I will demote you because under the Police Act, there is space for a demotion, a promotion and transfer. Those are all powers vested in the inspector general,’’ he stressed.

Shikongo said leadership is not only a position but rather a responsibility, and a commitment towards the welfare and safety of the community. As guardians of justice, it is imperative for the police that police station commanders embody the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and compassion. 

“I was looking at the list of countries which are performing in Africa and Botswana is number one followed by Rwanda. Namibia is not even among the top 30 in Africa. Why aren’t we there? It’s just because of the small, simple things, and I think it’s an issue of command and control,” he said.