Zimbabwe police command issues strict memorandum on cellphone use while on duty

In a decisive move to enhance discipline within the ranks, the Officer Commanding Police Masvingo Province has issued a strict memorandum regarding the use of cellphones by police officers while on duty. The memorandum, numbered 2065/24 and dated October 28, 2024, comes in response to ongoing concerns about officers using their phones during working hours.

Despite previous directives banning cellphone usage on duty, the command has observed a lack of enforcement from senior officers. The new guidelines emphasize that, effective immediately, no police officer is allowed to possess a cellphone while on duty. Officers are permitted to use their devices only during designated break and lunch times.

The memorandum stipulates that any officer found in possession of a cellphone while on duty will result in accountability measures being taken against their Officer in Charge. The directive also mandates that, upon the commencement of their shifts, Officers in Charge must collect the cellphones of their subordinates and secure them in a safe or cabinet.

To further reinforce these regulations, all police stations are required to incorporate a clause regarding cellphone usage into their standard operating procedures (SOPs). Officers will be expected to acknowledge that they have read and understood these new procedures.

This move reflects the Masvingo Province police command’s commitment to maintaining professionalism and ensuring that officers remain focused on their duties. The command aims to foster an environment where the use of personal devices does not interfere with the effectiveness and efficiency of police operations.

The response from officers regarding this new memorandum is yet to be gauged, but the command remains firm in its approach to discipline and adherence to operational protocols.