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Crime Reporter
Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga has urged members of the force to possess the “correct doses of knowledge and experience” in order to professionally discharge their mandate during the forthcoming harmonised elections.

He said he had no doubt that the training undertaken and the pocket-sized handbooks which had been given to all officers would equip them for professional, impartial and fair service before, during and after the elections.

He said the country was yearning for nothing short of a credible, free, peaceful and fair election.

Comm-Gen Matanga said this in a speech read on his behalf by Chief Staff Officer (operations) Senior Assistant Commissioner Bernard Dumbura at the 2018 Promotion Parade for non-commissioned officers.

Last week, the police chief promoted 1 632 officers countrywide under the Police Act.

Of the 1 632 officers, 1 147 were promoted to sergeants from the rank of constable, 176 to sergeant major from the rank of sergeant, while the other 309 officers were promoted from the rank of sergeant or sergeant major to assistant inspector.

“This promotion exercise has come at a time when Zimbabwe is about to conduct watershed harmonised elections on 30 July 2018,” said Comm-Gen Matanga.

“The totality of the Zimbabwean citizenry, and indeed the whole world is fixated on us to ensure the elections are held in a free and peaceful environment.

“In this regard, let me take this opportunity to remind you that the level of preparedness required of us is very high.

“This, therefore, implies that all police officers must possess the correct doses of knowledge and experience in order to professionally discharge our policing mandate through this election period.”

Comm-Gen Matanga assured his troops that they were poised for more promotion opportunities if they continued to exhibit the right decorum, zeal, motivation, professionalism and leadership qualities expected in the force.

“As you assume new badges of rank, always remember that the organisation expects you to be forthright, exemplary in your conduct, visionary, firm, fair, resourceful, professional, passionate, loyal, patriotic and be role models to your peers and subordinates,” he said.

Comm-Gen Matanga urged the officers, as leaders, to treat their subordinates with respect.

“You need to cultivate a culture of team spirit and consultative leadership because promotion does not grant you the passport to tyranny, selfishness, grandstanding and settling personal scores,” he said.

“Therefore, you need to be firm, fair, impartial and disciplined.”

Comm-Gen Matanga said particular vigilance was required to stave off the nagging temptation to abuse power for personal gain in place of public good.

He said the officers should shun the temptation to engage in any acts of corruption and that the force would not be lenient to all those who choose to be corrupt.

Comm-Gen Matanga said once caught on the wrong side of the law, officers would be discharged from the force.

Meanwhile, Officer Commanding Harare Province Snr Asst Comm Elias Mvere also conferred ranks on 174 non-commissioned officers at Morris Depot in Harare where he also read the speech on behalf of Comm-Gen Matanga.

The officers are part of the 1  632 who were promoted by the Comm-Gen.