Police in Kilimanjaro Region have ordered ward police officers to adhere to ethics and standards in executing their duties. The Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander (RPC), Robert Boaz, urged the officers to be close to citizens, work with them in ensuring security, peace and tranquility in their respective areas.
Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander (RPC), Robert Boaz
RPC Boaz reminded them that they are duty bound to maintain law and order and not to involve themselves in criminal acts such as robbery, gangsterism, or racketeering as they would tarnish the force’s good image.
The Commander was speaking at FFU Auditorium when inaugurating a task force whose main objective is to obstruct criminal acts in collaboration with the citizens in Moshi East Division.
RPC Boaz said that from 2006, the Police Force has embarked on a long-term reform programme that seeks to address the rising incidence of crime, the negative public perception of the police and the lack of police personnel and resources.
They are geared to make the Force a modern one, with its members working professionally in line with changes in economic and technological changes. The reforms are also meant to revive the systems that would obstruct crimes and promote better working conditions in order to get away with what is commonly known as ‘business as usual’ and ensure people and their properties are safe.
Mr Boaz said community policing has been very successful, a strategy and philosophy based on the notion that community interaction and support can help control crime and reduce fear with community members.
It also helps to identify suspects, detain offenders, report problems to the police or otherwise target the social problems that give rise to a crime in the first place. Though the reform process remained in its early stages in 2009, some progress was evident, primarily in the improved reputation of the Police and more amicable relations between the police and the public.
RPC said that East African countries and Africa as a whole have to work together as technological advance has made it easy for criminals to accomplish their targets.
He mentioned the challenges facing Police Force now is police officer- people ratio, whereby in developed countries one police officer has mandate over between 400 and 500 people while in the country one officer has to administer more than 1,100 people hence it is difficult to hinder crimes occurrence.
Speaking during the ceremony, Mr Bente Nedoch who donated jackets to police officers so that they can work well in cold areas, asked the Force to educate the citizens more on community policing, especially in remote areas.
By DEUS NGOWI, Tanzania Daily News
