Africa-Press – Namibia. NAMIBIAN police chief, inspector general Josef Shikongo says some journalists engage random police officers to comment on police matters on their media platforms.
NAMIBIAN police chief, inspector general Josef Shikongo says some journalists engage random police officers to comment on police matters on their media platforms.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Shikongo said the tendency by some journalists to call any police officer for a comment has created a perception of non-commissioned officers, who are not authorized to engage with the media, to respond freely to media queries.
“While acknowledging that journalists are information or news seekers and may engage anyone at any time, I also deem it necessary to kindly inform you dear esteemed partners the primary duty of disclosure of police related information is assigned to the public relations division,” Shikongo said.
According to Shikongo, the Namibian police administration manual, Chapter 13, directs that only regional commanders, regional crime coordinators, commissioners and deputy commissioners, heads of directorates and first divisions, commissioned officers at the public relations division are authorised to comment to the media.
“Regional community affairs officers are also mandated to disclose regional police matters, where and when necessary,” he said.
Shikongo added that news editors must engage their reporters on this matter and interviews must be well coordinated with the relevant offices.
“The Namibian police is a professional force and hence the importance to have the force’s communication and all interviews coordinated so as not to allow unauthorized officers to disseminate information which at times may place the organization at disrepute,” Shikongo said.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Shikongo said the tendency by some journalists to call any police officer for a comment has created a perception of non-commissioned officers, who are not authorized to engage with the media, to respond freely to media queries.
“While acknowledging that journalists are information or news seekers and may engage anyone at any time, I also deem it necessary to kindly inform you dear esteemed partners the primary duty of disclosure of police related information is assigned to the public relations division,” Shikongo said.
According to Shikongo, the Namibian police administration manual, Chapter 13, directs that only regional commanders, regional crime coordinators, commissioners and deputy commissioners, heads of directorates and first divisions, commissioned officers at the public relations division are authorised to comment to the media.
“Regional community affairs officers are also mandated to disclose regional police matters, where and when necessary,” he said.
Shikongo added that news editors must engage their reporters on this matter and interviews must be well coordinated with the relevant offices.
“The Namibian police is a professional force and hence the importance to have the force’s communication and all interviews coordinated so as not to allow unauthorized officers to disseminate information which at times may place the organization at disrepute,” Shikongo said.
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