Malawi Police admits losing public trust: Senior cop says community policing structures should be strengthened
Malawi Police Service (MPS) has spelt the need to strengthen Community Policing structures in the country in order to enhance security at all levels.
Director of Research and Planning at Police Headquarters, Dr George Kainja said this Monday in Mponela, Dowa when he officially opened a three day Refresher Course on Child Protection and Gender Based Violence (GBV) for Police Officers In-Charge for Police Stations and Senior Deputy Commissioners of Police.
He said community policing dynamistic have evolved over the years and there is need for Police Officers to be updated on the new developments.
“We are happy that Police Officers in Chagres Police Stations in the country are attending the meeting which will enable us brainstorm on new strategies on how community policing services can be improved for the better,” Kainja pointed out .
He said the MPS has developed a new handbook for community policing and there is a revised policy on child protection in which the officers should be made aware of.
Kainja added that Police Stations have guidelines for managing Victim Support Units (VSU) which calls for the respect of individual human rights and integrity in championing privacy.
The Director admitted that although the trust between the Public and Police has gone down recently there is need to strategize on how best the trust could be restored.
He said the meeting offers us an opportunity to explore on how the Police should manage the current situation and cement the much needed cooperation from the members of public.
Kainja thanked United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) for their continued support it is rendering to the Malawi Police Services for years in various sectors.
UNICEF Child Protection Specialists, Janet Liabunya called for systemic changes in the Police Services in which work force culture should change.
She said individual Police Officers need to understand their duties on how they could work with communities in addressing their security concerns and protection of their individual rights.
“There are changes in some laws of the country and Police Officers have to develop an interest to know the changes in order to apply them effectively in delivering their services. We have policies and guidelines in place and this calls for every police officer in the country to be familiar of them,” Liabunya added.
Commissioner of Police Responsible for Community Policing, Merlyn Yolamu said MPS developed community policing handbook, reviewed Child Protection Policy and VSU guidelines which were developed some five years ago.
She said these documents have been used for effective implementation of activities GBV, Child protection and crime prevention.
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Tipemphenso kuti a Inkata (community police) akhale ndi department yoona za pa nsewu (road trafic department) Sibwino kuti a Inkata azilimbana ndi okuba pomwe a polisi mukutolera ndalama kumaika m’matumba mwanu pa nsewu.
The Incoming IG, pali nzeru zomwe akukamba a Kainja zoti zingathane ndikukondera komwe Police ikumapanga nthawi zonse munthu yemwe ali m’boma walakwa? Za ziii zeni zeni.
Who does not know? You made a terrible error that Mwapasa comes from Thyolo and yet he is from Zomba. This name that you are encouraging is from your area and you want others to support it. Mwalemba mmadzi!
By the way this name of yours number two, were you born in a Christian family? Even the Atheists would not use such language to be proud of by the Editor of this esteemed forum. I wonder!!!
Jomo Osman aka Topwa 1musamangebe chocho akapokora inu next move it’s mob justice is what is waiting for him it is in a silver plate waiting for him go to the hello with your community policing
Shonai which criminals are you talking about? Are the ones who hacked mayaya not criminals why are they Scott free? Musamakhale ngati mu ubongo mwanu muli bibi.
Watsala you akuzitamakuti amagwira zipolopolo ndi manjayi!
That’s the man! Dr. Kainja. This is the guy we need to run MPS. Not that cheap errand boy thug Mwapasa.
chifukwa ndi m’bale wanu. mwauponda dala.
You mean strengthening community policing to deal with the police vagabonds like the ones who invaded and ransacked Msundwe? To hell with your so called police. We dont care whether it exists or not. Do you need to strengthen community policing inorder to arrest those thugs in blue who hacked Mayaya for instance? Ana a njoka inu!
The incoming IG. This is the brain Malawi needs people like him who can think wide on how to restore the trust with the general public. This exceptional sir please carry on the noble task to serve Malawians.
News papers should be the last to blame other organizations.Why is it that one story appears or is written differently in your news papers from each other.News papers are the wearst , they always write to suit themselves or their masters.Anywhere in the world police are lebled bad.They can’t be liked because the deal with criminals.