Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale-Ng’oma has told the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to scale up their efforts in providing effective policing services.
He was speaking at Limbe Police Training School yesterday during the passing out parade of 862 police recruit constables who have completed their basic training.
While describing the job of a police officer as demanding, Ng’oma said the citizens expect nothing but quality service.
“We trust you to protect people’s property and lives, sometimes even at the risk of your own lives… No nation can afford to entrust its security to those incapable or unwilling to bear the burden.
“The challenges to our security are many. It is not only our safety, cohesion, and prosperity that is threatened, but also our future, for no country can be prosperous and free if its people fear for their lives or property,” he said.
The minister reminded the new recruits that the training instructed them on the law of the land and inculcated in them the virtues and values the country’s Constitution demands of every citizen, most especially those charged with protecting common life.
“Those values and virtues are your guiding star. If you hold them dearly, you have nothing to fear, and you will serve this country with distinction. On the other hand, failure to uphold these values is commensurate to failing your country,” he said.
The minister also observed that new and emerging crimes against the environment were showing devastating effects on the country’s forests, wild animals, and nature including the precious mineral resources.
He said: “Our natural heritage is under attack, criminals are benefiting from switching tactics. Today’s police must always strive to be one step ahead of the criminals.”
During the Limbe event, the minister also presented certificates to 18 best performing recruits.
The Limbe Police Training School pass out parade was concurrently done with two others at Mtakataka and Mlangeni Police Training Schools in Dedza and Ntcheu respectively.
Six hundred and eighty-one officers graduated at Mtakataka while 452 others passed out at Mlangeni bringing the total number of new police constables to 1995.
The passing out parade was the second cohort of the 2023-2024 Malawi Police Service Basic Recruit Training Course. Of the 1 995 new constables, 828 are females representing 41 percent while 1 167 are males.
Speaking at Mtakataka, Police Inspector General Merylne Yolamu urged the graduating constables to uphold the strong values of integrity, honesty, professionalism, responsiveness, independence and impartiality. “I implore you to serve our beloved nation, Malawi, with patriotism, dedication, love, and discipline, as well as to be able to work with all people in fighting crimes in the communities you will be assigned to work in,” she said.
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