By Isaac Zulu
Human Rights violations will not be entertained in the Zambia Police, says Zambia Police Kapiri Mposhi district officer commanding Brighson Mwape.
And Mwape has implored police officers to always adhere to confidentiality, which forms part of their professional ethics.
In interview shortly after addressing senior officers from all sections of the Zambia Police Service in Kapiri Mposhi district, Mwape advised police officers in the area to respect citizens’ human rights.
He underscored the need for police officers to avoid arbitrary arrests and detention of citizens.
“As Zambia Police officer commanding for Kapiri Mposhi district, I thought that since we are in the new dawn government; I should call for that important meeting with the objective of explaining what is expected from the police officers by the new Commander in Chief [President Hakainde Hichilema] and his administration. And I thought that it is very important for the men and women (in uniform) to avoid arbitrary arrests and detention of citizens. If we suspect that come in our custody, and have committed offences that are bondable; we should not hesitate to grant them bond as prescribed by the law because that is their right. We don’t have to infringe on other people’s right. Every citizen is entitled to freedom of movement, freedom of association and freedom of expression,” explained Mwape. “And the President has already stated that his government is commitment to promote the rule of law and human rights. And likewise, the police officers should be champions of human rights. Let us change our mindsets towards human rights. In other words, Human Rights violations will not be entertained in the Zambia Police Service. Sometimes our citizens are detained for longer periods in our police cells by our junior officers and, yet the President and our own laws state that an individual accused of committing a criminal offence should appear before the court of law within 48 hours. And if we don’t have evidence against an accused person, the best we should do is to set free such an individual.”
And Mwape, who is a Zambia Police senior superintendent, and presides over Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi and Luano districts of Central Province also disclosed that the component of Human Rights education in the Zambia Police Training Colleges will be enhanced.
“Yes, you are right the aspect of Human Rights in our Police training has been introduced…we are now taught human rights. But that subjected will only be amplified so that we handle members of the public with a human rights approach,” he said.
Mwape also praised the media for working in harmony with Zambia Police officers before, during and after the August general election.
Mwape pointed out that the media has always been supplementing the Zambia Police Service’s efforts in executing its mandate of curbing crime and maintaining law and order in communities.
“We have created a good relationship with you members of press. And as officer commanding, I will be failing in my duties if I don’t recognise the critical role that you have continued to play by working closely with Zambia Police officers so that we curb crimes in communities as well as helping us to maintain law and order in these communities,” said Mwape.
Meanwhile, Mwape has implored police officers to always adhere to confidentiality, which forms part of their professional ethics.
He cautioned police officers against disclosing internal matters that they come across while discharging their duties in the Zambia Police. “Internal matters should be kept to ourselves. Some of you officers have been going to an extent of even exposing complaints’ and accused persons’ dockets to members of the public. That is not allowed. As a police officer, yours is to listen more, hear more; but don’t talk too much in public. That’s the police we know,” added Mwape.
