Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi was among the multitudes who thronged the national stadium in Gaborone on Saturday(August 5) to celebrate the annual Botswana Police Day.
This year Botswana Police Service was celebrating 139 years.
The celebrations included parade marches, acrobatics, folklore performances and air displays.
Established in 1884, the service has its origins in the Bechuanaland Mounted Police and has grown in leaps and bounds to the current day Botswana Police Service.
In an interview, Botswana police public relations officer, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said police day festivities were important in their calendar as it allowed BPS to reflect on the milestones achieved over the years.
“The BPS is so proud of its achievements over the years, we have evolved to a reputable police service both regionally and internationally,” he said.
Mr Motube said the BPS had since energised its policing strategies to make it at par with modernity.
To improve the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts, Mr Motube said the BPS had developed capacity and was keen to improve capacity on cyber security and intelligence management which would go a long way in complementing the safer city programme and social media outreach efforts.
The unique and complex environment in policing urban areas challenges the BPS to continually explore alternative strategies to suppress criminality hence the need for a city policing model, he said.
He said public safety was a key priority in an endeavor to promote sustainable economic growth. He said crime management strategies sought to enhance police visibility and criminal investigation.
Furthermore, he said the launch of the KgomoKhumo operation, the specialised dog unit and the air force unit were other milestones worth celebrating.
Mr Motube noted that the BPS remained committed to restoring law and order in the country and pleaded with the community to also play their role by fully participating in the creation and implementation of community cluster policing to fight crime.
Giving a brief synopsis of BPS backgrond, he said BPS was re-branded from Botswana Police Force in 1997 to make it more customer-centric and transform it into an integrated police service.
The celebrations kick-started on Friday where President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi bestowed medals on 629 police officers in recognition of their outstanding service and gracious conduct in executing their duties.
The President was accompanied by Vice President Slumber Tsogwane and Minister of Defence and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi.
President Masisi bestowed the Botswana Police Medal for Meritorious Service (BPM) to senior assistant commissioners Maloti Segola, Cynthia Setilo and Kealeboga Keeditse as well as Assistant Commissioners Victor Mabina, Emmanuel Morris, Isaac Pule, Christopher Ndlovu, Richard Baraedi and Odikilwe Majama. The medal is awarded to members of the BPS who served 12 years or more and set a good example through their
conduct and diligence.
The President also bestowed Botswana Police Distinguished Service Order which is awarded to members of the BPS who have distinguished themselves by their devotion to duty and have served for 30 years.
Further the President bestowed some of the high-ranking recipients of the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medals and Botswana Police Jubilee Service Medals .
The Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medals were awarded to officers who have not been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude and have not been frequently guilty conduct and diligence.
The President also bestowed Botswana Police Distinguished Service Order which is awarded to members of the BPS who have distinguished themselves by their devotion to duty and have served for 30 years.
Further the President bestowed some of the high-ranking recipients of the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medals and Botswana Police Jubilee Service Medals .
Meanwhile, the Vice President, Mr Tsogwane bestowed Botswana Police Distinguished Service Order and the Botswana Police Jubilee Service Medals while Minister Mmusi bestowed Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to some of the low ranking officers.
In an interview, one of the recipients Inspector Nkhatazo Khondwani acknowledged his Distinguished Service Order medal.
“This medal is a reward for hard work, dedication and commitment that I have demonstrated during my 32 years in service,” he said.
He further advised the upcoming officers to always provide a professional policing service and live up to the BPS mandate of ensuring the safety and security of Batswana.
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