Crime Reporter
POLICE Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri yesterday lashed out at some politicians he accused of criticising the force for their failures. He said the force will continue to maintain law and order in the country without fear or favour.
“Any failed politician will quickly say ‘it’s the police’ for their failures. The police are the punch bags,” he said.
He was addressing five police officers who recently returned home from Liberia on a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
At least 32 others will be leaving the country soon for Liberia, South Sudan and Sierra Leone on a similar mission.
Comm-Gen Chihuri said the ZRP was a professional force, which understood its duties.
“You don’t realise the good you have until it’s no more there. We (the ZRP) don’t concentrate on the negatives. We are at our level best and we will put our morale onto it,” Comm-Gen Chihuri said.
He said those who criticised the force did so because there was law and order in the country.
“Peace is important, law and order is important. You cannot even eat without peace because nothing thrives in chaos,” Comm-Gen Chihuri said.
He said looking after the country was not the duty of the force alone.
Comm-Gen Chihuri said: “We must remain responsible for the betterment of our children tomorrow.”
On UN missions, the Comm-Gen said the force had amassed a wealth of experience through peacekeeping.
Comm-Gen Chihuri said he was not involved in any selection process of officers deployed to peacekeeping missions.
He said the UN normally sends its people into the country to assess the officers fit for the duties.
He said the ZRP had always taken seriously gender issues as they allow female officers to participate in such duties.
“I can give you an example of one of the senior female officers, Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba who was in Liberia and was one of the top three senior officers in that country in terms of policing.
“She spent three years and has done well and they still (the UN) want her,” he said.
Comm-Gen Chihuri said he was happy that the UN found the standard of the ZRP higher than those of other countries.
“We must remain shining apples in silver plates. Do not join commotions or confusion. Work with the governing authorities and make sure you handle people or citizens with respect. Remember they are people not animals,” Comm-Gen Chihuri said.