Shikongo tells police officers to think about the people
Policing is not a temporary job or a source of income or a source of income but a calling that requires passion.\'
The Namibian Police Inspector General, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, has instructed officers to consider the people they serve — especially those who walk long distances in the dark hours before dawn to earn a living.
Speaking during the launch of a weekend crime prevention operation in Windhoek on Friday, Shikongo said that communities living in fear reflect a failure of law enforcement and undermine public trust. The new operation will focus on patrols, intelligence gathering, and coordinated responses to crime, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of location, feel safe.
“Our people should not fear walking home at night or going to work in the early hours. That peace of mind is what the Namibian Police must guarantee,” Shikongo said.
Sleepless nights
He reminded officers that the safety of citizens is the responsibility of the police, not the people themselves.
“We cannot expect citizens in Havana or any area to create their own safety — that is our duty as law enforcement. If you are a police officer or a station commander, and in your area people are not sleeping because of crime, that should give you sleepless nights.”
He urged officers to think about the daily struggles of ordinary Namibians.
“Think about the people waking up in the early hours, walking from Goreangab Dam to town just to earn a living. It is our duty to create safety — environmental safety — so that citizens can live without fear,” he said.
Shikongo said policing is not a temporary job or a source of income but a calling that requires passion, discipline, and integrity.
“Some people join the police, stay for one or two years, resign, and later ask to be reinstated. If you are here, it should be because you love what you do,” he said.
He also outlined the values every officer must uphold — fairness, friendliness, accessibility, integrity, transparency, communication, synergy, and patriotism.
“These are the things you must carry when you walk into your duty station every day. These are the core values of our organisation.”
Mandates Matter
The Inspector General reminded officers of the five key mandates: preserving national security, maintaining law and order, identifying offences, preventing crime, and protecting property. “Combine these mandates with our three strategic pillars — effective policy, strong partnerships, and organisational excellence — every time you put on the uniform,” he said.
Community engagement, he added, is essential.
Officers must respond quickly to reports, gather accurate information, and make citizens feel protected.
Addressing resource challenges, Shikongo criticised officers who delay or fail to respond because of transport shortages or mismanagement.
“It doesn’t matter what transport you use — a donkey, horse, bicycle, or vehicle — you must respond. When you tell a victim you don’t have a car, you are depressing the community and betraying their trust,” he said.
He noted that some stations have several vehicles standing idle while officers claim a lack of resources.
“Sometimes members of the public are willing to assist, but we turn them away. That is laziness and it hurts the organisation,” he said.
Every Citizen Counts
Shikongo said every crime, no matter how small, affects citizens and the country’s image.
“Put yourself in the shoes of a traveller: you arrive in Namibia with hopes, but if someone is attacked or robbed, what message are we sending? Even if I don’t have a TV stolen, if I lose a spoon, I’ve lost my property. Every loss matters to a Namibian somewhere,” he said.
Drawing from his military background, Shikongo said strong training and discipline are vital to effective policing.
“Whatever training you go through is what will save you in battle. For me to be here after 47 years in uniform is the result of good training, guided by God,” he said.
Speaking during the launch of a weekend crime prevention operation in Windhoek on Friday, Shikongo said that communities living in fear reflect a failure of law enforcement and undermine public trust. The new operation will focus on patrols, intelligence gathering, and coordinated responses to crime, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of location, feel safe.
“Our people should not fear walking home at night or going to work in the early hours. That peace of mind is what the Namibian Police must guarantee,” Shikongo said.
Sleepless nights
He reminded officers that the safety of citizens is the responsibility of the police, not the people themselves.
“We cannot expect citizens in Havana or any area to create their own safety — that is our duty as law enforcement. If you are a police officer or a station commander, and in your area people are not sleeping because of crime, that should give you sleepless nights.”
He urged officers to think about the daily struggles of ordinary Namibians.
“Think about the people waking up in the early hours, walking from Goreangab Dam to town just to earn a living. It is our duty to create safety — environmental safety — so that citizens can live without fear,” he said.
Shikongo said policing is not a temporary job or a source of income but a calling that requires passion, discipline, and integrity.
“Some people join the police, stay for one or two years, resign, and later ask to be reinstated. If you are here, it should be because you love what you do,” he said.
He also outlined the values every officer must uphold — fairness, friendliness, accessibility, integrity, transparency, communication, synergy, and patriotism.
“These are the things you must carry when you walk into your duty station every day. These are the core values of our organisation.”
Mandates Matter
The Inspector General reminded officers of the five key mandates: preserving national security, maintaining law and order, identifying offences, preventing crime, and protecting property. “Combine these mandates with our three strategic pillars — effective policy, strong partnerships, and organisational excellence — every time you put on the uniform,” he said.
Community engagement, he added, is essential.
Officers must respond quickly to reports, gather accurate information, and make citizens feel protected.
Addressing resource challenges, Shikongo criticised officers who delay or fail to respond because of transport shortages or mismanagement.
“It doesn’t matter what transport you use — a donkey, horse, bicycle, or vehicle — you must respond. When you tell a victim you don’t have a car, you are depressing the community and betraying their trust,” he said.
He noted that some stations have several vehicles standing idle while officers claim a lack of resources.
“Sometimes members of the public are willing to assist, but we turn them away. That is laziness and it hurts the organisation,” he said.
Every Citizen Counts
Shikongo said every crime, no matter how small, affects citizens and the country’s image.
“Put yourself in the shoes of a traveller: you arrive in Namibia with hopes, but if someone is attacked or robbed, what message are we sending? Even if I don’t have a TV stolen, if I lose a spoon, I’ve lost my property. Every loss matters to a Namibian somewhere,” he said.
Drawing from his military background, Shikongo said strong training and discipline are vital to effective policing.
“Whatever training you go through is what will save you in battle. For me to be here after 47 years in uniform is the result of good training, guided by God,” he said.
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