Be careful who you marry, police warned

By Daniel Nemukuyu

Police recruits should do thorough background checks on their lovers to avoid marrying criminals, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

Addressing recruits at a send- off church service at Morris Depot in Harare, Depot Commandant Senior Assistant Commissioner Grace Ndebele said some criminals were targeting members of the police for marriage as a way of penetrating the force.

“As you go out there, be wary of criminals who want to take advantage and penetrate our systems through falling in love with members of the police,” she said.

“We have instances where girls (female officers) get into relationships with criminals. It is an embarrassment to the police force reading in the newspapers that a police officer is going out with a conman or conwoman.

“Criminals may take advantage of your profession to penetrate our systems. Make proper and thorough background checks of your partners before you get married.”

Snr Assist Comm Ndebele, who was popularly referred to as “mother” by the recruits, urged them to behave well when posted out for duty and to prevent the spread of HIV and Aids.

“It is not a secret that there is HIV and that it does not have a cure,” she said. “Let us look after ourselves to prevent the deadly disease. For those who are married, be faithful to your partners and those who are still single, take your time to choose the right partner.” she said.

Snr Asst Comm Ndebele warned the recruits against abusing their authority as police officers when they start work.

“When you are putting on your uniform, you are in authority,” she said. “No matter how small you may be, you can wave down a heavy truck to stop, but that authority must not be abused.

“You have power to arrest, but it must not be abused. You only arrest in circumstances where you are supposed to arrest and you must not go out there to abuse human rights.”

Snr Asst Comm Ndebele warned the recruits against engaging in corrupt activities, saying the police force did not hesitate to flush out those convicted.

“We do not want corruption,” she said. “Corruption must stop. Let us not tarnish the good image of the police force that Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has built.

“The moment you are caught, you do not have room in the police force. You will find yourself out the way you came in, but this time you will go out via Chikurubi Prison.”

The church service was held ahead of the pass-out parade for the 486 recruits on Thursday.

Among the recruits, 17 were chaplains while the rest will be graduating as general police officers. The Herald