Police tighten recruitment requirements

POLICE inspector general Sebastian Ndeitunga says he has raised the bar on the minimum requirements for new recruits.

In an advert for cadet constable positions, the Ministry of Safety and Security detailed that eligible candidates must have a Grade 12 certificate with at least 30 points, and they will undergo 12 months of training.

The advert also said priority will be given to those with higher tertiary qualifications in relevant fields.

Previously, applicants only needed to have 25 points in Grade 12, and would be trained for six months before they join the force.

Ndeitunga told The Namibian yesterday that the force decided to amend the requirements due to ongoing complaints about the police’s poor service and conduct.

“We have been receiving complaints of poor investigations. People don’t know how to write, they have difficulty in court, particularly in proper language”, he stated.

Ndeitunga said this effort to intellectualise the force will improve service delivery, and speed up processes at charge offices.

The training period has also been increased because the six months had proven to be insufficient.

“We have seen that in six months, when police officers pass out, they are not well-equipped,” he said. “[So] we’ll see what we produce.”

Ndeitunga added that recruits will also get computer training where possible as the force wants to shift from manual documenting to digital. Currently, training stations only have small computer labs.

“We wish to have fully fledged computer labs, where everybody would come out as a very competent computer user, so that statements are not taken by hand but by computer to improve the speed and quality in the charge office.”

Ndeitunga further detailed that although the training process is expensive, the need for improved quality within the force is necessary.

“We want quality; it’ll be money well-spent.”

Police spokesperson, chief inspector Kauna Shikwambi added that the organisation will also prioritise those with relevant tertiary qualifications in criminal justice, police science, any field of policing and law, among others.

“We lack so much. They will bring in newer skills and strategies that will help improve and maintain professionalism”, she noted.

Shikwambi thus encouraged those who want to be devoted and accountable to policing and serving the nation to apply.

“We don’t want people who will come into the force and tarnish the name and image of the force further,” she stressed.

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