News / National
ZRP traffic cops to undergo lie detector tests
10 Mar 2012 at 21:33hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has resolved to hire specialists from southern Africa to carry out an intensive screening exercise,
which will involve the use of lie detector tests, in its traffic unit as the force intensifies efforts to weed out corrupt officers.
In recent months traffic cops have come under severe criticism with motorists accusing them of demanding bribes ranging from cash and goodies such as groceries.
Police chiefs say all traffic cops will in the coming months face a lie detector machine, in just one of a raft of measures aimed at curbing corruption.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena revealed that the upsurge in corrupt elements was worrying and the use of the lie detector machine was the only way to go.
"Previously the lie detector machine was only being used for a sensitive unit in the police force â€" the minerals section.
"However, recently there has been a public outcry about the behaviour of our officers manning roadblocks and in response to that they will be undergoing tests in the coming months.
"Due to the non-availability of relevant machinery and expertise we are going to hire foreign specialists who will undertake the process for us," he said.
Those found on the wrong side of the law will be suspended pending investigations.
"If an officer undergoes the lie detector tests and fails, he or she will be suspended and we will conduct thorough investigations which will determine the extent of the punitive action that will be meted out," disclosed Senior Assistant Commissioner Bvudzijena.
In September 2011, the ZRP suspended 21 traffic officers for various offences ranging from fraud to soliciting bribes from members of the public.
The force only hinted that they had fired several traffic details in the same year for the alleged offences.
Police sources said in 2010, the force carried out a pilot project among traffic operatives based at Harare Central and the results were later forwarded to the Police General
Headquarters for further analysis.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Bvudzijena said the force would carry out a lifestyle audit amongst officers in the traffic unit.
"The lifestyle audit is another mechanism that the force has to use to weed out these rogue elements in the force.
"We have to look at the wealth one has amassed in relation to what he or she earns. It is not a witch-hunt but as a force we need to know the wealth our officers have.
"It's possible that some officers have become rich through corrupt activities," he said.
which will involve the use of lie detector tests, in its traffic unit as the force intensifies efforts to weed out corrupt officers.
In recent months traffic cops have come under severe criticism with motorists accusing them of demanding bribes ranging from cash and goodies such as groceries.
Police chiefs say all traffic cops will in the coming months face a lie detector machine, in just one of a raft of measures aimed at curbing corruption.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena revealed that the upsurge in corrupt elements was worrying and the use of the lie detector machine was the only way to go.
"Previously the lie detector machine was only being used for a sensitive unit in the police force â€" the minerals section.
"However, recently there has been a public outcry about the behaviour of our officers manning roadblocks and in response to that they will be undergoing tests in the coming months.
"Due to the non-availability of relevant machinery and expertise we are going to hire foreign specialists who will undertake the process for us," he said.
Those found on the wrong side of the law will be suspended pending investigations.
"If an officer undergoes the lie detector tests and fails, he or she will be suspended and we will conduct thorough investigations which will determine the extent of the punitive action that will be meted out," disclosed Senior Assistant Commissioner Bvudzijena.
In September 2011, the ZRP suspended 21 traffic officers for various offences ranging from fraud to soliciting bribes from members of the public.
The force only hinted that they had fired several traffic details in the same year for the alleged offences.
Police sources said in 2010, the force carried out a pilot project among traffic operatives based at Harare Central and the results were later forwarded to the Police General
Headquarters for further analysis.
Senior Assistant Commissioner Bvudzijena said the force would carry out a lifestyle audit amongst officers in the traffic unit.
"The lifestyle audit is another mechanism that the force has to use to weed out these rogue elements in the force.
"We have to look at the wealth one has amassed in relation to what he or she earns. It is not a witch-hunt but as a force we need to know the wealth our officers have.
"It's possible that some officers have become rich through corrupt activities," he said.
Source - SM
