By Esther Chisola
Human Rights activist Brebner Changala has called for change in the manner police officers are recruited and trained.
On Saturday, the Human Rights Commission (HRC) noted with concern the continued extra judicial killings by the Zambia Police, citing the recent killing of a male suspect whilst in custody at Chawama Police.
Changala commended the Human Rights Commission for highlighting the total disregard of the rule of law by the people that were entrusted to maintain law and order.
The commission has, however, commended the police for arresting the officer involved in the killing of the suspect.
In an interview yesterday, Changala said the police stations had become a sanctuary of officers that were abusing citizens.
“The situation in cells if anyone cares and visits to see how people are being locked up for no reason at all, not being charged and being abused. Some of them were badly beaten. We need to change the way the police are trained and recruited. But most importantly, the chain of command. We need to really evaluate as to who is supposed to be a police officer. And discipline must be at the core center of the police training and police supervision,” he said.
Changala said death in police custody would never stop, but that they must show serious punishment to those who abuse their fellow citizens while in police uniform.
“Because when somebody is taken to the police, that is the safest place one can be but it has become the worst place one can be at the hands of our police men and women. My call is that we need structural changes in the management of the police service,” said Changala.
