Govt determined to achieve internationally accepted 1-500 Police officer ratio

Govt determined to achieve internationally accepted 1-500 Police officer ratio

By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma has said the Government of President Lazarus Chakwera is determined to meet the international standard radio of 1 police officer to 500 civilians for effective operations.

According to Ng’oma, the pass out of about 1,993 Recruit Constables on 26th July 2024 has improved the ratio from 1 officer to 1,600 civilians to 1 officer against a population of 1,200 civilians.

Speaking at Limbe Police Training School where he presided over the pass out 860 officers who have completed their training from the school, Ng’oma said government of President Chakwera is committed to provide Malawi Police Service with equipment necessary for them to discharge duties effectively and efficiently.

“We will recruit and train at least 10,000 more Police Officers in the years to come to conform with the United Nations guidelines which is one Police officer to five hundred civilians, and government of President Lazarus Chakwera is determined to attain this”

The Homeland Security Minister added that citizens expect nothing but quality service from the Malawi Police, saying Police must be steps ahead of criminals in order to execute their duties smoothly.

He has since stressed that the government wishes to establish a Police Academy as one way of improving security in the country.

On his part, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Happy Mkandawire applauded President Lazarus Chakwera for allowing recruitment of about 6,000 Police officers over the past three years, urging them to be committed to professionalism serving the Malawi Police officers.

Similar events were held at Mtakataka in Dedza where 681 recruit constables graduated, and Mulangeni in Ntcheu with 452 graduating officers.