Police Officers: Let's shun corruption

It is disheartening and disturbing to note that police officers who are supposed to maintain law and order in the country are the ones who are involved in corrupt activities.

Previous reports from different publications have been reporting depressing stories on different cases where Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers have been mounting fake roadblocks soliciting bribes and threatening legal action against reluctant motorists in some country's busy roads.

A roadblock is a temporary barrier which is set up to control or block traffic on a road by the traffic police officers for reasons such as police chase, road works and vehicle inspection. It seems as if nowadays road blocks are not for public safety but for looting and enriching by the police officers.

Years back, it was clear and transparent that one is approaching a police roadblock. Warning signs written "police ahead" could be noticed before reaching a roadblock. However, this is contrary with today's roadblocks where you can just find three or four officers by the road side and after a 10 kilometer distance you will find another mounted roadblock without any signs showing that it is a genuine roadblock.

The ZRP should find better ways of alerting motorists on genuine roadblocks. The road signs that were used before or any other reflectors should be there to warn the road users that they are getting closer to a roadblock hence expect to be stopped.

Though the economy may not be performing to its capacity, police officers should execute their real police duties of law enforcement. Who will police these police officers if they are to continue breaking the laws? The responsible authorities must take action and regulate these officers before it is too late.

Police officers should find other means of raising funds rather than bribing innocent citizens. The ZRP should be aware that many people are struggling but still surviving under such economic hardships without being involved in any criminal activities.

It is imperative to note that corruption has a direct effect on the growth of the economy. Corruption leads to reduced tax revenues. When tax collection is affected, there will be adverse budgetary consequences which will undermine the development of the country's economy.
 
Socially, corruption discourages people from working together for the common good of a nation. Frustration and lack of concern among the public result in a weak civil society. Demanding and paying bribes also results in social inequality and widened gap between the rich and poor. It is therefore every individual's responsibility to avoid acts of corruption for the betterment of the country.   
 Early this year a police traffic officer committed suicide after he was caught with a bribe at a roadblock fearing punishment from his superiors. The officer was caught with undeclared money which is in contravention of the police traffic policy which prohibits carrying personal cash while manning a road block.
Further to that, another case was also reported saying two other officers manning a Beatrice roadblock were under arrest following USD $2,000 bribe loot which they hid in a nearby bush.
                              
In a nutshell, police force should stop soliciting bribes from anyone as this will diminish their dignity with the public.