241 Council Police Officers have graduated at Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute in Chongwe.

ZANIS reports that speaking during the ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Gary Nkombo, says he is optimistic that the new council police officers will contribute to maintaining law and order in markets and bus stations countrywide.

Mr Nkombo said the Ministry has lined up a series of professional development programmes for council police with best practices in the enforcement of civic law and order.

He noted that it is the government’s desire that all local authorities possess the requisite human and institutional capacities for them to be effective.

ZANIS reports that Mr Nkombo added that this will respond to the demands of the devolved system of the government.

“This training has come at the right time when the government wants to end cardarism in the country. I’m positive that the new officers will help end this vice in different public places where they will be operating from,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Administration, Maambo Haamaundu, has urged the graduates to be disciplined as they execute their duties.

Mr Haamaundu noted that with discipline, government will be able to increase revenue collection in all local authorities countrywide.

“Please be disciplined as you go out to your respective councils, this will not only help you as an individual but also the country as a whole,” the Permanent Secretary noted.

And the Zambia United Local Authorities Workers Union (ZULAWU) has appealed to the government to ensure that a day for council police officers is set aside for them to showcase their mandate to the public.

ZULAWU President, Emmanuel Mwinsa, commended the government for its commitment to resolving matters faced in different local authorities countrywide.

“Sir we commend you for looking at the plight of council workers countrywide, but our appeal sir is that you should give us a day as council police officers to celebrate”, he said.

Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute Principal, James Paipi, thanked the government for the support in ensuring that officers from the 116 local authorities in the country receive effective training.