Perpetua Murungweni
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) June, 12 2023, were urged to shun corruption by all means necessary as it sends wrong message to the public.
This came out during a training programme for ZRP Victim Very Unity officers (VFU) held at Chevron Hotel, which was organized by Legal Resources Foundation (LRF) an organization that promotes human rights and access to justice.
Speaking during the training programme, Inspector Ngwarai Muchini who is a Provincial Training Officer urged fellow police officer to shun corruption saying corruption portrays a bad image of the force in the eyes of the public.
“As police officers we have to avoid corruption as it pollutes our work and sends a wrong message to the public. Corruption is an abuse to a public office. Corruption affects the relationship between officers and the public, especially those in VFU department because they are the ones who deal with victims, victims needs to be helped rather than be handled.
“Police officers need to stay away from corrupt activities so that they will be able to help the public and enforce the law effectively.
“There is also need for police officers to desist from corruption because it portrays lack good leadership and it affects the proper system of a country,” said Muchini.
Muchini also said corruption usually affects the public more as it widens the gap between the rich and the poor.
“Corruption usually affects the public because there will be a wide gap between the poor the rich, as the rich will use bribes to get away from the law, yet the poor will rot in prisons. Corruption also breeds insecurities within the public people will not be able report sensitive matters to the police and they will be deprived of their right to justice,” said Muchini.
Speaking during the same workshop, Inspector Edward Madhumira said the police should respect rights of the accused persons in order to reduce corruption.
“The police should be able to respect the rights of the accused people so as to reduce corruption, the public usually offers bribes as a way out because sometimes they will be mistreated and their rights will be violated,” said Madhumira.
Sergeant Xavieria Shawarira also urged VFU police officers to practice good customer care in dealing with both victims and the accused persons.
“Police officers should practice good customer service by showing empathy to the victims and avoid being rude because it creates a good relation between them and the victims. The police should not use negative language to victims and accused persons because it instills fear in victims and the accused persons,” said Shawarira.
LRF senior programs lawyer Sharon Moffat said the program was meant to help law enforcement to the VFU officers and allow police to know the latest law enforcements trends and how to address issues from the court.
“The program is meant to improve the quality and standards of law of enforcement especially the VFU officers and it helps the police to catch up with the latest trends in law enforcement how to handle and address issues from the courts that since we have invited National Prosecuting Council (NPC) and Judicial Service Commission (JSC). It is also an opportunity to discuss and find solutions to challenges that VFU officers are facing especially when it comes to the court systems,” said Moffat.
