POLICE inspector general Joseph Shikongo says traffic officers must learn to give warnings to road users and not simply issue them tickets immediately.
Shikongo made this plea on Sunday at Oshikango while addressing police officers on the significance of professionalism and serving the community with compassion.
“Now you are there as a traffic officer with a traffic vehicle without a number plate and giving people tickets, while your vehicle is also not roadworthy. That is abuse of power. We are abusing our authority because your car is also not roadworthy,” Shikongo said.
He said many police vehicles are not roadworthy, blaming commanders for not inspecting the vehicles.
“When I was a regional commander in the Khomas region, I suspended vehicles. If the vehicle is putting our organisation in disrepute, I suspended it. You cannot have a car that has broken windows but you are issuing tickets to members of the public,” he said.
“If the car has no brakes or has any serious problem, it must not carry officers. It is wrong. Do not just look at public cars, but let us also look at our police vehicles. If the car is unfit, inform your commanders,” Shikongo told officers.
According to Shikongo, a warning should be issued to road users and not always a fine.
“Where you need to give a warning to a member of the public, warn a member! Do not just punish a person every time. It is not our job to punish people. We are there to educate, make people understand and educate them on traffic laws through the media and not just to issue a fine, give a warning. After two times, then issue a fine,” Shikongo added.
He encouraged police officers to be humane and serve with integrity.
Shikongo also noted that many police officers do not carry their rifles, pocket books and other work tools when on duty.
“Whenever you are called by the regional commander to have a parade, you must come with your tools at all times ready with you,” Shikongo urged.
“I am very serious about what I am saying here, colleagues.”
According to him, non-performing officers will be demoted and ranks will be given to those performing.
“You must work hard if you want to avoid demotion and this is very serious. Every day we have people promoted but when they get it, they become something else,” he said.
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