News that the government is to recruit more police officers has a bright side.
More boots on the ground and officers in charge offices could lead to less crime, safer communities and cases being dealt with expeditiously.
Natural attrition and officers leaving the public service for greener pastures has left a large number of vacancies in the force.
The Namibian Police’s top brass have attributed a lack of visibility, poor or neglected investigations and a subsequent lack of trust in the police to dwindling numbers.
Those keeping an eye on the ballooning civil service wage bill will, of course, oppose the recruitment as an attempt by the administration to use public resources for job creation.
However, police, prison and army personnel numbers have dropped as previous administrations curtailed recruitment.
There is nothing wrong with recruiting in necessary fields in areas where outsourcing government functions should not be allowed.
The police have a vital role to play in protecting people and communities, and in bringing alleged wrongdoers to justice.
Their announcement that they will recruit again this year is welcome news.
We sincerely hope the increase in the number of police officers would be matched by an increase in the force’s performance.
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