Commission dared on police accountability
Minister of Homeland Security Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma has asked the Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) to collaborate with Malawi Police Service to effectively identify and flush out errant elements from the service.
The minister said this in Lilongwe on Friday when he presided over the opening of a day-long conference organised by the commission aimed at improving police’s knowledge of its work.
He said the key to effectively fight crime lies in the police gaining the public’s trust and confidence.
Said N’goma: “The ICC was established to investigate any police misconduct and this is an important milestone to improve police professionalism. The community and other stakeholders seek accountability and transparency when police officers behave in a way that raises questions about their professionalism and commitment to constitutional policing.
“Therefore, establishing an Independent Complaints Commission to investigate any misconduct or offence allegedly committed by a police officer; investigating any death or injury in police custody or as a result of police action is an important milestone to improve Police professionalism.”
The minister observed that by setting up the commission, government has demonstrated its commitment to bring change and reforms in the police service.
“This body was initiated in 2010, but it has taken Dr Lazarus Chakwera to initiate this programme. This it is a sign that we want to bring change and reforms in police, so that the police and the communities can work together in combating crimes,” he said.
On her part, Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyn Yolamu also highlighted the importance of the police and the commission strategising for enhanced working collaboration by ensuring that all police officers are aware of its mandate, powers and functions.
The IG bemoaned the police service’s loss of public trust, saying individual and organisational discipline is a cardinal point for effective delivery of the law enforcers’ services to the public.
Said Yolamu: “However, it is an open secret that, today, the performance of our organisation is affected by discipline of most of our officers.
“Today, we face a culture that is more hostile to police authority because we no longer command the public’s trust as we once did. This has resulted in some instances, irate Malawians attacking police units, police houses and vehicles.”
United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) resident representative Shigeki Komatsubara, who was present at the event, acknowledged that the ICC’s potential to ensure accountability and transparency in the police service is a significant step in commitment to holding themselves accountable.
He said: “This is a significant step in police committing to hold themselves accountable. Police is the face of public authority, and for them to hold themselves accountable objectively through the ICC, is a strong message that they mean integrity, professionalism and that they are committed to holding themselves accountable.”
Meanwhile, the commission’s head Chris Tukula has disclosed that they will soon venture into a massive civic awareness campaign on its existence, roles, and functions among others.
Currently, the MPS has the Professional Standards Unit (PSU), the Internal Integrity Committee and the recently established Anti-Corruption task team working to ensure that police officers work within their prescribed laws.
Their external oversight partners on the other hand, include the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Office of the Ombudsman, Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) and particularly the ICC which is established by the Police Act to independently investigate all complaints made by the public against police officers or/and the entire organisation
