In a critical briefing to the |Khomas Regional Leadership of the Namibian Police, Inspector General Joseph Shikongo issued a clarion call for them to adopt an analytical, robust, and tactical approach to security services.
Emphasising the importance of aligning their strategies with the evolving needs and challenges of society, Shikongo underlined the police mandate, values, and ethos, urging a proactive stance in community engagement and crime prevention.
Shikongo lauded the efforts of the Regional Commander in community initiatives but stressed the need for continued improvement.
He advocated for reaching out to the community to provide friendly service and combat crime effectively.
The police chief further warned that failure to ensure public safety could lead civilians to resort to self-defence, highlighting the rising trend of civilians carrying weapons. He emphasised the necessity for the police to judiciously determine the justification for citizens carrying dangerous weapons, marking it as a delicate balance that must be managed.
In his directive, Shikongo called for enhanced cooperation between City Police and Nampol, advocating for resource sharing to achieve common goals. He stressed the importance of accountability, teamwork, and the improvement of holding cells, urging respectful and dignified treatment of those in custody in line with the Mandela Rules.
Shikongo further highlighted the need for managing holding cells efficiently, suggesting police bail for minor cases, and minimising unlawful and trivial arrests. He emphasised that arrests must be conducted peacefully and professionally, with any resistance being dealt with according to the law.
The briefing also highlighted the newly launched Competence Framework, aligning with the government's performance management system. While acknowledging the challenges in digital security, he affirmed that plans are in place to address and overcome these hurdles.
Addressing public perception, Shikongo acknowledged the widespread view that the police are not reliable and asserted that this perception must not be undermined or trivialized. He concluded by issuing a marching order to his senior leadership to rise to the challenge and restore public confidence in the police force.