Police to train security guards

Police to train security guards

Mako Jerera

Government has announced that there will be a review of laws, which will see private security guards getting trained by the Zimbabwe Republic Police before they are allowed to engage in work.

This is part of the measures adopted by Cabinet to curb crime, especially armed robberies which have been on a worrying increase.

In the past months, Zimbabwe recorded an increase in armed robbery cases, and in some of the raids, the conduct of private security guards has been found wanting.

During this week’s Post Cabine Briefing acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister , Dr Jenfan Muswere, said Government wants to follow international ways when it comes to the training of private security to reduce crime in the country.

“Cabinet resolved to review the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act (Chapter 27:10) in order to improve the private security industry to ensure that only Police-trained guards work in law enforcement,” he said.

“This position was arrived at given the role the private security companies play in complementing the efforts of the Police in reducing crime in the country. As such there is need for private security guards to receive basic formal training,” said Minister Muswere.

Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe was in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates recently the 7th Edition of the International Exhibition for National Security and Resilience.

According to Minister Muswere, Minister Kazembe had, “the opportunity to visit various institutions under the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Interior, where he gained valuable insights into how technology can be deployed and utilised to enhance policing, security and safety of communities”.

This comes after some of the armed robbery suspects have been found to be serving or former police and police officers with better understanding on the handling of weapons and better preparedness in armed combat with private security guards.

Regular police officers go through rigorous six months of training in which they are taught about the law, handling weapons and dealing with criminals.

Dr Muswere said private security companies should complement police in reducing crime in the country.

“As such, there is a need for private security guards to receive basic formal training,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the rain-related disaster contingency strategy for the 2022/23 rainy season in anticipation of cyclones among other climate-induced hazards.