Malawi Police Service (MPS) says nobody is above the law and will bring to book all who are found breaking it.
Commissioner of Police for the South West Region, Chikondi Chingadza made the remarks when she opened a Regional Executive Committee (REC) meeting for Police officers, traditional leaders and community policing coordinators in the region.
Chingadza opened the meeting by commending MPS officers for a job well done in 2020 when the service was stretched beyond its capabilities due to the social unrest that emanated from the disputed May 2019 polls.
She said the men in uniform are well trained and have a better understanding of the law and why they need to remain professional at all times.
She notes that community policing coordinators are also given a thorough training but with an upsurge of mob justice in various communities the police will not shield anyone who partakes in abuse of a suspect or taking the law in their hands.
“Police Officers and even community policing coordinators are well trained so they should be in a position to know whether what they are doing is in line with the law or not. It should sink in everyone that nobody is above the law. When one is trained and conducts to the contrary the law will take its course,” said Chinganda.
Commenting on the development, REC Chair for South West Region Community Policing, Asif Gillan, said the concept of Community Policing needs to be supported since over 18 million Malawians are expecting to be served by a service of less than 15,000 officers.
He said the quarterly meetings help to bring in the much needed professionalism in the wake of numerous assaults on suspects. He said his committee will ensure community policing volunteers and their coordinators are well equipped to execute their roles professionally.
““We will do our part to facilitate trainings so that community policing coordinators are well groomed for the job. We want this to trickle down to our communities where the law should be adhered to even in the absence of police officers,” said Gillan.
The quarterly REC meetings seek to assess performance of community policing in liaison with (MPS) and enhancing capabilities of police officers in discharge of their duties. –