21 Nov 2024

The promotion of a Botswana Police Service (BPS) officer who was recently promoted by President Advocate Duma Boko for displaying good behaviour is consistent with meritocracy as the officer was showing respect and good conduct that is encouraged in the service, Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa told Parliament on Wednesday.

The Minister said President Boko had actually consulted with police commissioner, who confirmed that the officer met other competencies.

On whether the officer who intercepted the pitch invader at the recent inauguration of the President would also receive accelerated promotion, Minister Mohwasa said the two scenarios were different and every case had its own merits and therefore, might be judged differently and discretion applied.

He said BPS had an establishment of 11 087 police offciers out of whom 4 274 officers of various ranks had not been promoted over a period of 10 years.

The criteria used for promotions in BPS is based on a number of considerations such as when there is a vacancy to fill, exigencies of the police service dictate for the promotion of the officer, an officer who meets the competency requirements such as; passing the proficiency examinations for officers of the rank of sub-inspector and below, Mr Mohwasa stated.

He said others included an officer who displayed high performance rating, an officer who posed certain rare skills and competencies not available in the police service and adherence to the Police Code of Conduct.

Mr Mohwasa said promotion was also a tool used to slow attrition rate, and harness experience in the Police Service.

However, Mr Mohwasa said even with these good intentions, there was undesired stagnation which was experienced at the various rank structures caused by limited vacancies, failure to meet required criteria for promotion by some officers, and indiscipline that attracted disciplinary conviction.

“We will continue looking into the police establishment, funds permitting, in an endeavour to increase the number of supervisors,” Mr Mohwasa said and admitted that being stuck in one rank for a long time might contribute to low morale and by extension affect productivity.

He assured the House that the police commissioner and members of the senior management team continued to engage police officers and formulate programmes that enhanced morale in the police service adding that there were several programmes in the police service that were aimed at improving the quality of life of the officers.

Tswapong South MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang had requested the minister to apprise the House on the state of promotions at the BPS, state the number of police officers who had been in service without promotion for 10 years, reasons for the stagnation and what he intended to do to remedy the situation, the impact of the current state of affairs on the morale and productivity of affected police officers.

He also asked if the minister was aware of the recent accelerated promotion of an officer on account of having saluted the President at a polling station and whether that was consistent with meritocracy as well as whether the officer who intercepted the pitch invader at the recent inauguration of the President would receive accelerated promotion. ENDS