By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the Ministry of Homeland Security to thoroughly investigate and recommend on the challenges facing the Malawi Police Service so that they are addressed accordingly.
Speaking during the 100 years celebrations of Malawi Police existence in the country at the National Police Headquarters, area 30 in Lilongwe on Tuesday, November 30,2021, Chakwera ordered the Minister responsible to listen to grievances at all levels in the institution including those at the lowest level so that none of the officers works in an un conducive environment, and that there is creation of a better Police Service in the country.
In his speech, President Chakwera said for the past 100 years, the Malawi Police Service has been one of the most important institutions in the country, and that without its existence, there could have been highest rate of crimes.
But President Chakwera was quick to say, the institution needs to be functional beyond law-enforcement.
“We need to strengthen this institution in every possible way. We need to strengthen the discipline that a functional Police Service needs to have. We need to strengthen it by bringing in modern equipment and tools for effective policing. We need to retrain the entire Police Service the mordent ways of enforcing the law without violating the rights of citizens.” Said President Chakwera in delivery of his speech.
Further, Malawi leader said unless Malawians work together as a nation, it will not be easy to restore the public confidence in the Malawi Police Service.
He then urged lawmakers, civil servants, and security agencies, and citizens to execute their duties with professionalism, responsibility, and passion to serve common Malawians, so that there can be trust in the Police Service.
In his remarks, Minister of Homeland Security, Richard Chimwendo Banda told the gathering that his ministry is much concerned with issue of criminal behavior within Malawi Police Service such as theft, robbery, sexual harassment, and defilement, not excluding a tendency of conniving with suspects of different crimes that have put the institution under questionable competence and undermined credibility.
But Minister Chimwendo commended the Police Service for being instrumental in rendering services that have created an atmosphere of peace, law and order in the country, by bravely fighting crime and the fear of crime to create environment favoring both social and economic activities in the country, while promising the nation that in the new century his ministry will ensure that the Police Service is transformed in all aspects as guided by the law of governing the institution.
During the function President Chakwera awarded the Inspector General, his deputy and some commissioners with the Presidential Police Medals, while others received long service and good conduct awards.
Since its establishment on October 5, 1921, the Police has been led by 21 black Commissioners.