The University of Namibia Katima Mulilo campus has equipped 39 police officers in the Zambezi Region with computer literacy skills to improve efficiency, record management, and service delivery.

The initiative forms part of the university's community service commitment, as the police service seeks to strengthen its capacity to adapt to increasingly technology-driven policing.

The course facilitator, Masule Nyambe, said the practical training focused on everyday policing responsibilities, including digitising occurrence book records, preparing reports, and using digital tools for public awareness campaigns.

"The same people who were struggling are the same people who are graduating here today. We are not graduating because it was easy. We are graduating because we were persistent."

Zambezi Police Commander, Julia Sakuwa-Neo said the training addressed an important gap in police administration, particularly the reliance on handwritten records and the difficulty of accessing consolidated crime statistics.

Sakuwa-Neo said digital skills are also increasingly important in understanding emerging forms of cybercrime and distinguishing authentic digital information from manipulated content generated through artificial intelligence.

UNAM Acting Campus Director Percy Mashebe described computer literacy as an essential requirement for modern law enforcement, where technology increasingly influences investigations, intelligence gathering, and information management.

“Computer literacy is no longer an optional skill. It is an essential tool for efficient policing, informed decision-making, and effective public service delivery.”

Mashebe encouraged the officers to use the acquired knowledge responsibly, particularly when handling sensitive information.