PRESIDENT John Magufuli has ordered the police force’s top brass to grapple with the rise in crime across the country, failure of which he will be forced to put them in the frontline in battling criminals.He further demanded from them the highest degree of efficiency and delivery to restore the image of the police force and to rebuild trust in their ability to fight crime. Dr Magufuli issued the directives in Dar es Salaam yesterday at the launch of the Community Safety Initiative Programme.
“When junior (police) officers want to deal with criminals, they sometimes encounter interference by top police officers. Next time I will order you to go to the fields,” he said. He noted that the police force boasts of committed officers able to squarely face up to crime.
“If you will stand firm, our country will be safe and peaceful”. He cited the example of neighbouring Rwanda where one can dare leave his or her property along the road and come to find it lying there intact the next day.
“This can also be possible in our country,” President Magufuli pointed out. The president was especially concerned by the fact that bandits had even dared to invade police stations, kill officers on duty and escape with weapons.
“This has been worrying me a lot considering that you have enough resources. Also, why can’t the police immediately grab stolen weapons from the hands of bandits?”, he queried.
“I call on the police to immediately retrieve the weapons from bandits because there are various tactics and ways to do so. Why don’t you use them to get back those weapons?”, he asked, urging the force to promote officers who will be able to do so - not prosecuting them.
Dr Magufuli also took special note of cases of handbag snatching by robbers who use motorcycles to trace unsuspecting women pedestrians before pouncing on them.
However, the president applauded the good job done by the police force and pledged to look for ways to support the programme by increasing more funds and availing them with equipment that will facilitate its implementation.
Dr Magufuli warned irresponsible and unfaithful officials who are used to disclosing confidential information, noting that they should be removed from the police force.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to give special attention to a group of about 100 officers who are tasked with running the call centre, which includes protection and be granted additional allowances in their fight against crimes in the country.
He extended recognition to former President Jakaya Kikwete, former IGP Mr Said Mwema, and the President’s Delivery Bureau (PDB) for initiating the programme. The president also applauded the support from CRDB Bank, NMB and Super-Doll Tanzania Ltd for setting a good example in supporting the programme.
He directed the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) to assist the police in dealing with monitoring of their communications and warned those who will violate the order to quit.
On the termination by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Makonda, of the contractor who was awarded the tender to construct the road passing through Biafra, Mwananyamala to Sinza due to the poor workmanship, the president directed the Contractors’ Registration Board (CRB) to take steps against the contractor as the law requires.
He concluded by urging politicians to let him do his work in the next five years and then assess him. He warned CCM members to stop meddling with other political parties and instead give then room to perform their task.
Home Affairs Minister Mwigulu Nchemba called on the people’s collaboration in availing any kind of information on crime. The IGP, Mr Ernest Mangu, pointed out that the programme will officially begin on July 1, starting with Kinondoni District as the highest crime zone.
“The programme is going to be rolled out to other districts and other parts of the country in the next three years,” pointed out the IGP. Mr Mangu noted that the programme will be implemented based on detective policing, service delivery, effective communication and identifying more sources of income.
On the other hand, Mr Makonda said the programme was aimed at improving the safety and security of the people and property in the country.
“I would like to acknowledge the role played by the police and request the government to see if it’s possible to let at least 20 per cent of the revenue remain in their hands to help them to carry out their duties effectively,” noted Mr Makonda.
A total of 27bn/- is needed for the commencement of the improvement of the programme in all the three districts.