The Zambia Police Command says it will not condone its officers mounting unauthorized checkpoints and roadblocks.
Acting Inspector General of Police Milner Muyambango said in a statement yesterday that the Zambia Police Command has been receiving numerous complaints from members of the public regarding police officers mounting unauthorized and illegal checkpoints and roadblocks around the country for some time now.
Muyambango has further directed police officers in uniform to always display their name tags and service numbers.
He said most of these checkpoints and roadblocks were mounted at undesignated points, putting the lives of motorists and other road users at risk.
“The Police Command is extremely concerned and will not condone such unethical behavior. We wish to sound a stern warning against such officers,” stated Muyambango.
He said that while traffic checkpoints and roadblocks are essential law enforcement tools, it was evident that some police officers were abusing them.
He has directed provincial police commanders to ensure that checkpoints and roadblocks are mounted only when the security situation demands.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious checkpoints or roadblocks immediately so that remedial action is taken against such police officers,” said Muyambango.
“Officers are further guided to operate within the confines of the traffic laws and regulations, such as the provision of Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) to erring motorists, which is applicable to some traffic offenses. This gives motorists a period of seven days within which they can pay for the offense(s) at any police station.”
He said members of the public ought to know who they are dealing with at any particular moment. Hence, police officers in uniform at checkpoints and roadblocks or wherever they operate should always display their name tags with their service numbers and names visible.
“If the police officer has no name tag displayed, members of the public are at liberty to request their names and service numbers. When an officer is requested to furnish his details to a member of the public, the officer should willingly do so,” advised Muyambango.
He has further cautioned members of the public to desist from bribing police officers as the relevant provisions of the law would be applied to them as well.
