BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the need to have strong and formidable Malawi Police Service (MPS) for quality delivery of service.
This is the reason Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government has significantly increased the country’s police force by hiring an additional 6,000 officers, bringing the total to 19,570 since taking office in 2020.
This boost addresses the critical need for expanded law enforcement capabilities in the nation.
Acknowledging the shortfall, President Chakwera aims to meet the recommended officer-to-civilian ratio of 1:500 by expanding the police force to 40,000 personnel.
Chakwera says the importance of police in society cannot be underestimated.
In his speech at the passing out parade of 1 367 police constance recruits in Blantyre on Friday, April 12, 2024, Chakwera observes that the police service play a very important role in maintaining and law order; hence, they need to be applauded for the good work they do.
The President says at the time he was assuming power in 2020, they were few police officers which was obviously a contributing factor to lawlessness that prevailed at the time.
Chakwera therefore promised Malawians that his administration will lean on servant leadership, he had to live up to such by ensuring the number of police officers are increased through more recruitment.
“The number of police officers have increased by 30 percent from 13 500 to 19 570,” he says.
In his remarks, Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma says the passing out of the 1 367 police constable recruits is a major milestone that needs to be commended.
Ng’oma, however, says ministry will continue to lobby for more budgetary support for recruitment of more police officers.
Voth Ng’oma and Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyn Yolamu, the police to civilian ratio is at one officer against a population of 1,010, which is contrary to the United Nations recommended one officer serving a population of 500.
Currently, Malawi faces a ratio of 1 officer to over 1,000 civilians, underscoring the pressing need for additional recruits to ensure effective law enforcement
