Inhabitants of the Otjozondjupa Region on Saturday gathered at the regional police headquarters in Otjiwarongo to commemorate the 31st Anniversary of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol).
At the event, several speakers reflected on how NamPol have progressed from a small force of about 800 members since its inception in November 1990, to a fully-fledged national policing organisation which is now equipped with helicopters, sniffer dogs, modern office buildings, barracks and a farm with livestock in the Omaheke Region amongst others.
Otjiwarongo Mayor, Gottlieb Shivute on his part praised NamPol for its continuation in safeguarding the peace and protecting the lives of people and properties in Otjiwarongo.
He also said that many police officers whom he had known during his youthful days, passed on while they were performing their official policing duties and observed a moment of silence in their honour.
Otjozondjupa Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Heinrich Tjiveze while delivering messages from NamPol, outlined challenges the police force is facing in the region, such as the lack of resources, a reduced number of police officers nationally from about 18 000 to 14 000.
“Some of these police officers are expected to retire from work in the next three years,” he added.
Topics on abuse of police vehicles, failure to wear police uniforms and name tags by police officers, abuse of their policing authority and lack of discipline amongst others also featured in the discussions at the event.
Police officers who formed the parade for the event at Otjiwarongo entertained the public with their drilling activities and dance moves using their music band instruments.
Members of the neighbourhood watch organisations in the region, women and men network for community policing groups and police reservists also attended the colourful event.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency