Africa-Press – Botswana. Twenty per cent of Botswana Police Service’s (BPS) 500 new officers hold professional qualifications that are important in law enforcement, it has been revealed.
Speaking during a pass-out parade for the officers in Otse yesterday, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the qualifications included law, forensic science, information technology and telecommunications-related disciplines.
The diverse and complementary skill base was expected to significantly improve the effectiveness of policing services in Botswana, he said.
President Masisi stated that given the increasing sophistication of crime, BPS required modernised 21st century policing skills noting that transnational organised crime especially human and drug trafficking, cybercrime as well as fraud were increasingly becoming more common and complex.
It was therefore critical for police officers to command high-end of critical thinking and possess digital literacy to formulate and execute strategies to deal with them, he said.
“Modern policing requires a delicate balance between reinforcement of the law and protection of human rights of individuals deemed to be acting foul of the laws,” he emphasised.
Noting that the latest cohort comprised 259 male and 241 female officers, Dr Masisi commended the BPS leadership for its resolute efforts towards achieving gender balance in recruitment.
The President welcomed BPS leadership’s decision to absorb serving special constables which he said was proof of government’s firm commitment to public safety.
He said the approval of 1 000 police constable positions was meant to advance public safety and security.
“It is a most welcome and praiseworthy development. This has created the much coveted permanent employment opportunity for this cadre, thus giving credence to the principle and practice of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Through this action, the Botswana Police Service and my government have demonstrated to the public that we are receptive to constructive criticism and patriotic advice in the efforts to improve the ways we do things in the national interest,” he said.
Stating that government was highly committed to resourcing BPS to ensure public safety, Dr Masisi said 28 police stations would be constructed during the two years of the Transitional National Development Plan.
He said in addition to strengthening crime prevention strategies and programmes, BPS had successfully established a Gender and Child Protection Branch and was in the process of rolling out child-friendly centres across the country.
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