POLICE inspector general Joseph Shikongo warns newly recruited police officers against accumulating debt and subscribing to unfavorable insurance policies.
Shikongo said this while addressing 908 police cadet constables at Ondangwa this week.
“It’s not necessary for you to play around with your money. Take care of your money and keep your job.”
Shikongo specifically addressed the issue of premature resignations driven by financial dissatisfaction.
“Some of you are resigning, saying the money is too little. ‘I will work for three years, resign, get my pension and start a business.’ My dearest, don’t fool yourself; you will finish that N$300 000 in a month or four. You will become a burden to your family or relatives,” Shikongo said.
He also advised the recruits to avoid extravagant spending upon graduation. He urged them against renting expensive flats or purchasing expensive beds and phones.
He said such actions would create financial hardship.
“Please live at your standard for you to save money. When the money is enough, then you buy what you want,” Shikongo stated.
On insurance policies, Shikongo said he does not see the essence of people taking out funeral cover policies.
“Do you want money after death? I know you may say it’s for your families, but why can’t you focus more on investments? Short term and long term,” he said.
He said police officers are victims of debts. Shikongo said some people have many cover insurance policies and that the money in some of those policies may not be paid out to families and relatives.
“How do you buy a car in seven years? You cannot buy a car from your salary. You must now start planning to save money,” he said.
He added that when they get promoted, they should save the money added to their new salaries.
He said this is why financial management has become part of police training.
NO WHEELBARROW
Shikongo said police promotions are not about wheelbarrowing people into new positions. He said people worked hard to
be in those positions.
“Promotion is not a decoration but a responsibility,” he said.
He also urged recruits to not be disrespectful towards others, saying one day they will retire and the people they have
disrespected will disown them.
In 2023, former Kavango East acting regional commander deputy commissioner Eino Nambahu said law enforcement officers who are drowning in debt find it difficult to perform official duties.
“You should stop going and borrowing money. Survive with the little you get. Be in your domain.”
“Improve your salaries. Tomorrow, you don’t have taxi money while you have a transport allowance on your payslip. You don’t have accommodation because you want to stay in the barracks. The barracks are for those people at the college, the trainees,” Nambahu said.
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