Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698084327528.pdf (Swaziland)
REMARKS BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DURING THE END OF YEAR CONFERENCE FOR SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS AND CIVILIAN STAFF – 2nd DECEMBER, 2011.

_________________________________________ Executive Command Senior Police Officers and Civilian Staff Ladies and Gentlemen 1.

Introduction I have pleasure to welcome you all to this annual customary meeting of the senior management cadre of the Royal Swaziland Police Service.
This is a meeting that accords us the opportunity to evaluate the delivery range of existing operational strategies and where necessary, devise new ones that will keep the organization in tune with the ever dynamic environment.

To officers attending the conference for the first time following promotions effected during the course of the year, we welcome them and also look forward to their contributions.
Page | 1 1.1.1 Recently retired officers The meeting will recall that in July we had a special event that was held at Police College to honour seventeen (17) of our colleagues in the senior rank category who retired from the Police Service during year 2010 and the early part of this year 2011.

Since that event, twenty-four (24) other officers have retired.

We wish them a happy retirement, and a ceremony to bid them a formal farewell will be arranged at appropriate time.
1.1.2 Roll of honour On a sad note, we had 31 Police officers passing away.

The loss of even one Police officer through death is a telling blow to overall capacity to deliver service according to set standards.

We extend heartfelt commiserations to the families of our departed colleagues, and commit them to the counsel and comfort of God Almighty.

2.
2.

Theme of the Conference It has become our practice over the years, to choose a theme for this conference that resonates with, and is relevant to factors prevailing in the wider social landscape.

To this end, it is common knowledge that our Government is currently grappling with hitherto unprecedented liquidity problems.

These fiscal challenges are impacting on the service delivery mechanisms of Ministries and Departments, the Police Service inclusive.
Page | 2 In light of the prevailing situation, we deemed it prudent to come up with a theme that will guide the meeting to devise strategies that could enable the organization to brace up for the entailed policing challenges.

Accordingly, the theme that has been found pertinent and relevant is “POLICING STRATEGIES IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CHALLENGES’’.
2.1 Policing Strategies in complementing Government’s Fiscal Reform Programmes To revive the fiscus, His Majesty’s Government has introduced a fiscal reform programme whose salient features include inter alia; promoting a vibrant private sector to accelerate employment creation, diversifying the economy and broadening the tax base.

These initiatives, well calculated and thought out as they are, cannot be successful in an environment characterised by high levels of crime and road carnage.
The two areas as you would appreciate are amongst those central to our mandate as a Police Service.

Today’s meeting therefore, is aimed at identifying strategies that will ensure that, notwithstanding the challenges, we do our utmost best as an organization to keep crime and road accidents under control so that Government’s efforts at stimulating economic growth can yield the desired results.

Page | 3 2.2 Operational areas affected by fiscal challenges.
The strategies to be unveiled, will assist mitigate effects of the economic downturn in a number of key areas critical to our continued efficiency as a Police Service.

These include among others; Transport, Utilities, Working Equipment, and Accommodation.

2.2.1 Transport Transport is a vital resource in both the pro-active and re-active spheres of our operations.
We use vehicles for visibility policing measures such as conducting systematic patrols which has a proven deterrent effect on criminal activity, as well as to respond to crime scenes and allied distress calls.

The present fiscal situation has compounded what was an old existing transport shortage problem.

As a conference, we must identify pragmatic remedies to this challenge as the safety and security of communities out there should never be compromised.
Suffice to point out that, the onus is also upon you to be exemplary in using this scarce resource with great economy.

Official transport should never be used for personal errands, but exclusively for work related matters.

2.2.2 Utilities (water, electricity, telephones) The budgetary constraints have also manifested in our over- indebtedness to the service providers of water, electricity and Page | 4 telephones.
These utilities are key in our operations and Stations cannot function were they to be cut off.

Suffice to say that whilst we realize the problems posed by the fiscal position, there is also an urgent need for stringent control measures to address usage rates of these crucial utilities before we find ourselves in a dire position.
2.2.3 Working Equipment The budgetary shortfalls have also meant that we are experiencing an acute shortage of working equipment which impacts negatively in our quest to deliver service according to expected standards.

2.2.4 Accommodation The organization has historically faced a problem in relation to accommodation shortage, and the current fiscal situation has not helped efforts to ameliorate this position as it has resulted in projects to construct housing units being stalled.
We are aware and empathize with the unfavourable conditions officers live under especially the group of officers who recently passed out from College whose accommodation arrangements are particularly dire and their sharing is out of the ordinary.

We appeal for the understanding of all concerned as we do all we can to address the problem.

Page | 5 Regional Commanders on the ground are to do all in their power to normalize the situation in consultation with this Headquarters.

3.
3.

Highlights on the crime fighting scene 3.1.1 Outreach Programmes In reviewing the crime scene, one wishes to pay credit to Police Regions for the outstanding work done in the implementation of our Outreach Programme.

Crime Prevention Campaigns and Workshops have been staged and/or conducted in 35 Tinkhundla centres and Imiphakatsi countrywide, with the aim of sensitizing the public about the ills of crime and galvanizing support in efforts of eradicating same.
The activities undertaken have been a fine example of the concept of pro-active policing and Kudos to all of you.

Our analysis is that the campaigns have yielded the desired results in terms of strengthening our collaboration with members of the public.

3.1.2 Partnership with Retired Police Officer’s Association It is within our policy that as we continue measures of enforcing zero tolerance to crime and traffic accidents, we partner with various stakeholders.
Another key stakeholder we have identified is the Retired Police Officer’s Association.

We have already had a meeting with the Association, as it is our intention to fully utilize and share the expertise of its members with serving officers, Page | 6 particularly as they have a vast reservoir of policing knowledge and experience, having served for many years as experts in various policing specialities.
For instance, their expertise can come in handy in organizing crime prevention initiatives within their respective communities.

The officers I have mentioned as having retired in the past year and during the course of this year, are also encouraged to join ranks with the Association.

3.2 Challenges 3.2.1 Cases of Violence and Rape On challenges, we are concerned with the culture of violence that is taking hold in society.
This is reflected in the proliferation of cases of violence which manifest in various ways including among others, brutal murders, grievous assaults, arsons, petrol bomb attacks and numerous other forms of violence which often transfix the country.

Cases of this nature are on the increase and are reported almost weekly with alarming frequency and regularity.

For example, from January to date, 213 cases of violence as already articulated have been reported.
We appeal to people out there, to have respect for the sanctity of human life.

Violence has never been an answer in whatever situation.

Instead, it is associated with barbarism and invites the wrath of the law to the perpetrator.

Temperance and dialogue on Page | 7 the other hand, have proven as most viable in addressing problems.
For our part as Police officers, apart from the educational programmes highlighting the undesirability of violent conduct, we have a duty to ensure that suspects are brought to book to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.

With the world commemorating 16 Days of Activism of no Violence against Women and Children, we are concerned that rape cases in the country are on an upward trend.

Since January to October 540 cases have been reported which is unacceptable.
As a Police Service, we have a duty to make sure that women and children get on with their day to day lives without being afraid of getting raped.

This we can do by investigating such cases in an expedited manner in order to swiftly bring perpetrators to book.

Also important, is to maintain absolute professionalism and a disposition of empathy, to avoid the secondary victimisation of the unfortunate victims of this despicable crime.
3.2.2 Crime that affected a visiting dignitary This year also saw the occurrence of a case which had the potential of besmirching the image of the country, and unsettling efforts being made to develop the tourism industry.

I am Page | 8 referring here to the theft of money and other valuables belonging to a visiting dignitary from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Investigations of the case are still continuing unabated.

So far, the briefcase has been found with the passport and other documents.
I direct the investigating team to intensify their efforts of eventually arresting the culprit(s).

3.2.3 Serial rapist on the loose The nation is now aware about a serial rapist who is on the loose in certain areas around the Lubombo Region.

Following reports of his nefarious deeds, a multi-unit sting operation was launched to search for him and one of his latest victims, a 13 year old girl he had kidnapped.
Joining the operation were community members and Community Police who combed forests where he was suspected to be hiding.

We are encouraged by the fact that this full scale operation has led to the discovery and rescuing of the young victim.

However, the suspect still remains at large.

Hence, the operation is to continue in earnest to capture this elusive fugitive of the law who has already caused untold damage.

4.

Road Traffic Scene In the road traffic accident scene, positive strides are being made.
In year 2010 from the period January to October, a total of 5941 Page | 9 accidents of all categories occurred compared to 4989 during the same period this year (2011).

In percentage terms, this translates to an overall reduction of 16% which augurs well for our target articulated in the Performance Targeting and Appraisal Programme, which is to achieve a cumulative reduction of 12% by year 2013.
This does not mean that we should now sit on our laurels and be complacent, but should be a motivation to achieve even lower margins in the coming year.

Furthermore, such a development is to be welcomed because, for the period from March 2010 up to year 2020, the UN General Assembly has proclaimed A Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the goal of stabilizing and reducing the forecast rate of road traffic accidents around the world.
4.1 Drink Driving We are however, still concerned with the prevalence of drink driving despite warnings to motorists to desist from this untoward practice.

Of all the common causes of road accidents, alcohol tops the list accounting for over 50%.

The religious enforcement of the law against this malady is however bearing positive results.

This is deduced from the fact that whilst in 2010, there were 788 fatal and serious accidents where alcohol was a common denominator.
This year, there have been 753 of such accidents reflecting a decline of 4%.

Page | 10 5.

Maintenance of standards of professionalism Maintenance of professional standards is also key in the discharge of our responsibilities.

In this regard, we have taken note of concerns raised by courts relating to falling standards in our role of collecting and assembling quality evidence to assist the smooth dispensation of justice.

Also included, is the demeanour and professional acumen in giving evidence.
To this end, short focused specialists training workshops have been held and will continue to be held for Criminal Investigation Department officers and other officers who from time to time attend to scenes of incidents to enhance their competency levels.

On a positive note, one may state that our training systems are recognized within the SADC Region and beyond as one of the best.
For example, following bilateral arrangements, we will, effective from January, be training officers from Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Recently, we also had Police and Correctional Services officers from Zimbabwe who were here to benchmark on our training model.

Suffice to state that this should not breed complacency, but we should continue to aspire to improve.

6.
6.

Festive Period and Incwala Ceremony 6.1 Festive Period This time heralds the start of the Christmas and New Year festivities, a period associated with excitement and frenzy.

For us Page | 11 as a Law Enforcement Agency, it means priming our operational systems to ensure that all citizens and visitors to the Kingdom have a safe and secure festive season.

This is a period usual associated with increased criminal activity.
To this end, the Police will be all out on a 24 hour basis conducting patrols, sting operations and targeted raids.

We appeal to the nation not to consider these operations as an inconvenience, particularly as they will also entail the staging of roadblocks.

Our aim is solely to ensure that you enjoy the festive season in an environment of safety and security.

We also appeal for heightened vigilance on the part of community crime prevention structures and Community Police brigade.
Furthermore, we request the public out there to avoid celebrating this period in a disorderly manner, such as indulging in excessive alcohol binges which usually lead to needless cases of violence, drink driving which results in serious traffic accidents and other forms of conduct that will disturb the peace.

Those who will be away from their homes must ensure that adequate security measures are in place and alert neighbours of their absence.
We also caution the public to be careful and circumspect of surroundings when withdrawing large sums of money, in order to be aware of likely pick-pockets or the infamous “Landela Group”.

Page | 12 People are advised to withdraw such amounts of cash that will be necessary for a particular purpose.

Business people are encouraged to liaise with nearest Police Stations whenever they have a need to transport large amounts of cash to banking facilities.
To shoppers, our advise is that they should be wary of falling prey to the antics of dubious philanthropists.

These are criminal elements who will offer unsolicited help with the aim of scamming unsuspecting victims.

6.2 Incwala Ceremony The Incwala ceremony has also begun in earnest and is about to reach its climax.

The onus is therefore upon us all to ensure that this national event is policed with the highest standard of diligence and professionalism.
All strategic areas where emabutfo/tingatja will be should have adequate security coverage.

The flow of traffic on the roads should also be monitored to avoid accidents.

Accordingly, we appeal to the motoring public to respect traffic laws and regulations as well as to heed directives of Police officers who will be deployed in strategic points to control traffic.

Page | 13 May I now take this opportunity to thank you once again for attending this Conference.
I now wish all of you and your families, a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.

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