Malawi Police chief promises tough times for criminals

Don’t be fooled by his warm smile and sunny, relaxed disposition. New chief of police in Malawi, Inspector General Paul Kanyama, has issued a stern warning to criminals that he is going to be hard as nails when it comes to crackdown on crime.

Kanyama said under his watch criminals will either be arrested and face the full length of the law or keep out.

He asked cops not only to be reacting to crime but that they should be there beforehand to prevent the crime from happening in the first place.

Kanyama was speaking at the official handover ceremony of five vehicles to Lilongwe Police station which will be used to revive the rapid response unit (990) of Lilongwe police and its surrounding zones.

“We need to think and plan beyond the criminal mind so that we can face them head-on and eradicate crime in the country,” said Kanyama.

Police IG  who was accompanied by his Deputies Paul Kachama and Rodney Jose said he is passionate about being tough on criminals and create a very hostile environment for underground gangs.

“Police officers must also be well armed and equipped when responding to criminal activities according to situation assessment because a police officer cannot respond to situation where a criminal has an AK47 with a stick,” he said.

He also urged the officers to serve Malawians with integrity in order to win back the people’s trust in the police service.

“Recently we have had cases of police officers conniving with criminals which are very distressing. How can police officers connive with criminals who are killing fellow officers? The killing of a fellow officer should be a wakeup call to all police officers that it’s high time they dealt with crime severely.

“I would also like to warn officers conniving with criminals that I will treat you as a criminal and you will face the music,” he warned.

On the vehicles bought by government,  Lilongwe police station Officer in-Charge Jimmy Gama  said they would help the rapid response team to respond to distress calls rapidly and effectively.

Kanyama also disclosed that Police will be given  100 more vehicles on top of the 50 the President promised earlier.