AUDIT  LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, GOVT ADVISED

By Lumbiwe Mwanza

THERE is a need for the Government to conduct a human resource audit in law enforcement agencies with the view to identify those underperforming and promoting lawlessness within the institutions, the Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI) has said.

Speaking with The Scoop, CLRI Executive Director Paul Hakoola noted the need to raise the performance bar of police officers and those from other relevant law enforcement agencies.

Mr Hakoola said that finding an effective way of promoting order and professionalism among law enforcers would help in sustaining citizens’ confidence in institutions mandated to protect citizens.

He said that law enforcement agencies should be seen to be above board in terms of human resource and ensuring professionalism.

“The police is one of the law enforcement agencies which needs to be above board in terms of human resource that is working there. We believe that it is very important to identify those that are not professional because as a country, we cannot enforce the law when there are elements in the system that are not abiding to the code of conduct.

“Law enforcement agencies should have the performance bar raised because currently, it is not as required of law enforcement agencies and this leaves citizens in fear to say that the people who are mandated to foster order do not meet the prerequisites. There is a need for an audit of human resources,” Mr Hakoola said.

He said that police professionalism and responsibility were closely related hence the initial goal of every member of the police department should be to serve the community and protect the rights of citizens.

He said that despite working under difficult conditions, law enforcement agencies should strive to enforce law and order in the country and within the institutions adding that the connection between professionalism and responsibility of the police officers with ethical principles was crucial for the trust and confidence of people in law enforcement.

He explained that there was a need for constant retraining in relevant institutions mandated to foster order in the country.