Africa-Press – Angola. The Draft Law on the Disciplinary Regime of the National Police approved Thursday by the National Assembly (AN), prohibits officers from displaying, disseminating, or publishing images on social media while wearing their uniforms, as well as from using firearms, except in cases provided for in the law.
Similarly, it also prohibits members of the Angolan National Police from wearing extravagant adornments or accessories while on duty.
The law, which has 15 chapters and 128 articles, states in number 15 (Duty of neatness), which considers extravagant accessories to be hairpieces or weaves longer than five centimeters from the back of the neck, unnatural hair color, regardless of shade, colored lipstick, false eyelashes, tattoos on visible parts of the body, among others.
It also states that officers must be strictly uniformed and decently dressed when wearing civilian clothes, and are prohibited from altering their uniform beyond the measures established in the Uniform Regulations.
It explains that officers must not carry any items or objects in uniform that could diminish the prestige of authority, not including handbags or other objects of normal size when traveling.
Article 7 (Duty of impartiality) of the regulation states that, in fulfilling their duty of impartiality, officers must not participate in games of chance and other activities prohibited by law, or frequent places that are notoriously unsavory in appearance, except in the course of their duties.
The same law, in Article 12 (Duty of civility), explains that the duty of civility consists of treating the general public with respect and consideration, and is deferred between superiors and subordinates.
Among the various items in the clause, reference is made to the one that draws the officer’s attention to not becoming intoxicated and always remaining ready for duty.
For non-compliant officers, the law provides disciplinary penalties such as “simple reprimand,” “disciplinary action,” “extraordinary guard duty or picketing,” “extraordinary patrols or rounds,” “extra duty,” “temporary reduction in salary,” “demotion,” and “dismissal.”
Commissioners, superiors, subordinates, and deputy chiefs will be subject to similar penalties.
The law also sets out the special duties of guard personnel, rewards, commendations, praise, bonus leave, immediate promotion, promotion by distinction, enforcement of penalties, exercise of disciplinary authority, granting of rewards, aggravating and mitigating circumstances, extinction of disciplinary responsibility, and compliance.
PNA agents in the exercise of their duties must observe the duties of impartiality, diligence, obedience, loyalty, confidentiality, civility, punctuality, assiduity, and decorum.
The bill was approved with 91 votes in favor, none against, and 64 abstentions.
For More News And Analysis About Angola Follow Africa-Press
