JK warns police against use of force

By David Kisanga

President Jakaya Kikwete has warned the police against use of force and reminded them to observe human rights without fail especially during the referendum and General Elections.

 

The President issued the warning yesterday in Dar es Salaam at an event to mark the completion of an additional six months training for some 290 police officers from both Tanzania Mainland and the Isles who graduated from the Dar es Salaam Police Academy (DPA).

 

“I really do not understand why you (police) use excess force when handling the citizenry and suspected criminals,” queried the President.

 

“You should neither use excess force nor hurt suspects or the citizenry and at the time you must observe human rights,” he stressed.

President Kikwete went on to remind the police to also obey and respect code of ethics that govern all public servants.

 

“You must create a friendly environment that will enable you to work closely with the citizenry and in turn the public will be more willing to offer tips and leads to the police,” advised the president.

 

President Kikwete went on to urge the police to increase the number of women in the force citing the value they will add especially to the newly established gender desks at most all police stations across the country.

“Gender based violence is still a huge challenge and a lot more efforts are needed to minimise it…to win this war we must increase the number of women joining the force to handle the gender desks along with their male counterparts,” he said.

 

The president also reiterated government commitment to curb cyber crime and admitted that in the beginning, the matter was not given much emphasis but “…now it is a big problem that needs more attention,” the president said.

 

In his closing statements, the President reaffirmed commitment to end attacks on and killings of Persons with Albinism (PwA)and also underlined ongoing police efforts to stop terror attacks from happening in the country.

 

In both cases, the president pointed out that the police have managed to arrested several suspects and other have already been arraigned and convicted in court

Speaking at the same occasion, Inspector of Police (IGP) Ernest Mangu  pledged to work on the president’s warning and recommendations.

He also seized the moment to call on the government to increase funding to the force  if the force is to perform its duties as expected.

 

According to IGP Mangu, as the country prepares for the referendum on the proposed constitution slated for end of next month and the General 

Elections in October, the government urgently needs to equip the force with modern equipment that will ease its work.

 

“We have to be assisted early before the referendum and General Elections so that we may have ample time to train,” he said.

“It is important for the government to invest in the force if it is to tighten security in the country,” the IGP added.