Cops refuse to go on street patrols

Junior police officers, unhappy with a recent decision to drastically reduce the number of roadblocks across the country, are resisting new duties such as foot patrols, NewZimbabwe.com reported.

The disgruntled cops are choosing instead to spend time at police stations chatting on WhatsApp platforms, a senior police officer has here has complained.

A decision was made last December to reduce the number of police roadblocks across the country following a national outcry that they were unnecessary and had become a menace as police officers manning them were fleecing motorists on flimsy charges.

However, according the officer commanding Marondera district, Superintendent Khama, the decision has proved to be unpopular with junior police officers who are resisting orders to patrol the streets and are instead spending time in their offices chatting on social media platforms.

Khama was addressing police officers in Marondera town this week at the launch of the "Police Visibility Patrols", a programme that seeks to encourage junior police officers to embrace foot patrols.