The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) conferred the ranks and promoted 51 officers from all regions to the new rank of ‘Senior Inspector’ on Friday.
The parade on promotion of officers and conferment of ranks took place at Israel Patrick Iyambo Police College in the capital.
The implementation of the new Force Structure was created to close the gap between the salary grades of Chief Inspector and Inspector after Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) Albert Kawana directed the NamPol Inspector General and Management to work on the structure.
Inspector General Joseph Shikongo in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Inspector General of Administration Anna-Marie Nainda, emphasised that members of the police force are promoted in recognition of their commitment and dedication to national duties.
“Therefore, a promotion should not be seen as a mere decoration, and or just a reward to an officer or a member, but it comes with huge responsibilities over their shoulders. These include a high level of accountability, commitment and honesty,” Shikongo said.
The newly ranked senior inspectors consist of 20 ‘B’ Class Police Station commanders, seven Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) commanders and 24 Special Field Force Units and Post commanders.
Additionally Shikongo announced NamPol will soon start a recruitment exercise of more than 1 000 young recruits to strengthen the manpower of the force which he states is on a “rapid decrease”.
“The force will also prioritise resources to train and continue retraining its members in various disciplines, more particularly with emphasis on procedures and processes of crime prevention and investigation, discipline, customers’ care as well as management, supervision and control,” he said.
He added, NamPol is focusing to increase its capabilities in the usage of regional and international instruments, such as the usage of InterPol investigative systems (I-24/7) and leveraging on the use of technology like the ‘Safer City’ concept.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
