Police officers drilled in customer care

In a bid to promote quality service delivery amongst police officers, National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe has trained officers at Kanengo Police Station in customer care management.

The National Crime Prevention and Partnership Desk Officer for Malawi Police Service Assistant Superintendent George Pindani said the organisation had noted that some people do not trust police because in the past it was used as a weapon for punishing political opponents.

During the training Pindani cited the torching of police units in different parts of the country as clear manifestation of lack of public trust on police services.

“Police therefore rolled out the customer care initiative in 2004 to equip officers with knowledge on how they can effectively deliver in this their services in this democrat era,” said Pindani.

He said police officers should perform as per people’s needs and expectations.

Pindani hinted that in this 21st Century customers of Malawi Police Services, who are members of the general public, require speed and convenience when being served.

He said “this could be realized if officers embrace friendliness and swiftness in their approaches.”

The Crime Prevention and Partnership Officer advised police officers to desist from bad behaviours such as absenteeism and too much use of social media.

Speaking at the closure of the workshop, the Station Officer Senior Superintendent Vanancio Pamkuku, who represented the Officer-in-Charge, thanked National Police headquarters for the initiative which he described as timely.

Pamkuku said that “the officers had gained a lot of knowledge which will enable them improve their interactions with members of the general public.”

Forty police officers who were drawn from police formations within Kanengo Police Station’s area attended the workshop.