Police Service to get helicopters

HOME Affairs Minister Davies Mwila has said that the Government is in the process of purchasing three helicopters for the Police Service in a bid to modernise operations of the law-enforcement agency.
Mr Mwila said the Government wanted to improve the operations of the Police Service through the acquisition of high-tech security machinery.
The minister said on Friday at the 2014 Zambia police superior officers’ annual ball that the purchase of modern equipment would enhance the responsiveness of Zambia police.
He reaffirmed the Government’s committed to improving police welfare and their conditions of service.
To demonstrate its commitment, the Government is currently constructing a modern police station and 118 houses in Serenje, Central Province, for police officers.
In addition, the Government would this year start the construction of 80 houses and rehabilitate the existing police infrastructure.
Mr Mwila said his Government would also ensure the harmonisation of salaries for defence and security wings was achieved.
“The construction of over 10,000 housing units for personnel under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which include Zambia police, will also commence this year,” Mr Mwila said.
The minister further said the Government would this year recruit 1,500 police officers to address the shortage of manpower.
“I will work with the inspector general of police to ensure that the treasury is engaged on the need to release funds for infrastructure development, purchase of equipment, operations and training,” Mr Mwila said.
“This I strongly believe will help enhance the responsiveness of the police and boost the morale of all officers.”
Speaking at the same event, Inspector General of Police Stella Libongani bemoaned the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) cases recorded last year.
Ms Libongani said Zambia recorded 15,154 GBV cases in 2014 compared to 14,097 recorded in 2013, representing an increase of 7.5 per cent.
She said the country had also continued to record a high numbers of road traffic accidents (RTAs).
Ms Libongani said the total number of RTAs recorded in 2014 was 32,392, indicating an increase of 3,274 compared to 29,118 cases recorded in 2013.
“This represents an increase of 11 per cent. During the year under review, there were 1,858 persons killed as compared to 1,851 recorded in 2013, representing an increase by the figure 7,” she said.

Times of Zambia