Laziness, a lethargic attitude and a sloppy response when attending to critical community cases were some of the issues which got Otjozondjupa regional police commander Henrich Tjiveze hot under the collar during a recent community meeting at Coblenz village.
While addressing a raft of complaints raised by Coblenz residents, who face rampant stock theft and a sharp increase in various crimes, Tjiveze expressed his growing frustration with the unacceptable manner in which the region’s police officers conduct themselves when attending to urgent community matters.
The community in particular complained about the discouraging pace at which the police move to respond and investigate major stock theft cases. They also raised concern with the swelling cases that are still not attended to, which triggers public perceptions that the police could be working in cahoots with criminals.
Tjiveze assured the residents of the police’s unwavering commitment to resolve all crimes and maintain law and order, and took a strong swipe at his officers for not living up to their expected standards as law-enforcement agents. He furthermore warned that he will deal with all culprits.
“We do not have mercy for people who are siding with criminals in the performance of their duty; we do not have mercy for people who are tarnishing the police’s image. We will deal with them, and we will deal with them decisively.
Everything we do must be in courtesy, and must be helpful to our community. We are the ones who must lead the way on what needs to be done, instead of sitting around with an attitude,” warned the veteran police regional head.
Due to the police officers’ poor performance, Tjiveze said it badly affects how the public views the police, and erodes trust between residents and law- enforcement officers, which is detrimental to overall public law and safety.
“We need to get the correct facts, analyse the facts, and let the person always understand what the purpose of what we [police] are doing here is. We are well- structured, and if anybody messes up in the performance of their duty, internal processes will be followed.”
Just last year, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Joseph Shikongo sent a strong message when he dismissed 17 police reservists in the Omaheke region for poor performance and negligence of their duty.
The sacked group was inactive and contravening their terms of employment, as they are required by law to work at least 16 hours a month to be regarded as active members of the Force.
Shikongo, who at the time warned police officers not to become salary collectors, explained that reservists are contractually required to join patrols, and go to police stations and assist officers on duty with whatever needs to be done as well as other matters, as instructed.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na