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Crime Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)currently has a staff complement of 47 558 out of an approved establishment of 50 000 officers.

Of the 47 558, 33 938 are men while 13 620 are women.

However, police have even submitted to Government that the establishment be increased to 75 000, for effective policing given the population size and subsequent increase in crime rate.

This was revealed by Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga while addressing Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe after he toured the Police General Headquarters last week.

“Contemporary policing demands highly effective and efficient police organisations that are proactive, visible and readily offer clients premium services.”

Honourable Minister, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has an establishment of 50 000 police officers.

“Our current strength stands at 47 558 police officers, of these 33 938 are males while 13 620 are females,” he said.

In 2016, the ZRP wanted to recruit 25 000 more police officers to enable effective policing. At that time the ZRP had a staff complement of 50 000 officers and if its request was granted there was going to be 75 000 officers.

The ZRP had submitted to the Police Service Commission an upward review of its human resource requirement from the existing establishment to 75 000 to address the manpower deficit emanating from the dynamic police environment and increased demand of police service in the country.

Com-Gen Matanga said, “Zimbabwe values the existence of an orderly society which is governed by rules and laws. Consequently, the enforcement if such laws requires policing. To this end, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is an arm of Government that maintains law and order in the country.”

He said the ZRP sought to provide an effective and efficient police service to the public in order to maintain peace and stability, thereby contributing to an environment conducive to social and economic development.

“The effectiveness of various ZRP operations and initiatives is pivoted on the discipline and integrity of its members and officers.”

“The organisation thus upholds values and ethical standards which guide our interactions with our publics,” Comm-Gen Matanga said.

He said they also wanted to have the trust and confidence of all their clients.

He said they have 247 operational stations countrywide and out these, 58 were wooden modules.

“A further 48 police stations, though built from brick and mortar, are either condemned, dilapidated, cracking or in need of large scale maintenance work,” he said.

Comm-Gen Matanga said they also had 10 construction projects at different stages of completion and more than 63 pieces of land allocated countrywide either as posts, stations or for residential accommodation.