Nobody above the law, IG tells top police brass

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) cannot afford to have officers who are frequently charged and prosecuted in courts of law for theft, dishonesty or corruption, new Police Chief Lot Dzonzi has cautioned.

Dzonzi said this at the weekend when he summoned the police high command, which included commissioners, all heads of departments, officers-in-charge from all stations and other top officers at Area 30 Police headquarters,

The new Inspector General of Police (IG) said as service officers, they need to adopt new knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies and values to their duties and that his administration will prioritise training that is responsive to the needs of society.

“Policing a democracy means operating in an environment that is ever-changing. You are in charge, you are in command, and you are responsible and fully accountable. So, you have to be on top of things on all investigations, prosecution, traffic, community policing and finances taking place at your stations,” said Dzonzi.

He said all MPS officers are community policing officers; hence, should work with the public.

“I do not care how brilliant you are, how deeply trained you are, what length, depth and height of experience you possess, without the cooperation of the public, you are a zero not a hero,” said Dzonzi.

He called for more crime prevention awareness strategies, proper public order management, support to victims of crime and private security industry management which he said could impact on the image of the service.

“We also need to build a positive image of the traffic police. Public perceptions that have been proved through empirical research indicate that traffic police are the most corrupt of public service organ. This must change,” said Dzonzi