Namibians disappointed in police conduct, survey finds

Only 33% of Namibians believe that the police "often" or "always" operate in a professional manner and respect all citizens’ rights, an Afrobarometer survey has found.

"Overall, the fact that only a minority think the police generally operate in a professional manner and respect the rights of all citizens suggests remaining challenges for a force intent on enforcing – and modelling – respect for law and order," the report states.

The Afrobarometer report, titled 'Namibians see police falling short of professional conduct and respect for citizens’ rights', reports on survey results that show a growing number of Namibians feel unsafe in their homes and neighbourhoods and think government needs to do a better job of reducing crime.

The survey found that more than half of Namibians felt unsafe walking in their neighbourhood (59%) and feared crime (52%), at least once during the year prior to the survey.

Moreover, feelings of insecurity and fear have increased sharply over the past decade, according to survey findings, and are far more common among urban residents and poor citizens than their rural and better-off counterparts.

Trust and confidence

The police received “mixed reviews”, the report stated.

“Among citizens who interacted with them, a majority say assistance was easy to obtain, while about one in five say they had to pay a bribe or give a gift. A substantial minority of Namibians consider corruption endemic in the police force, though other state institutions fare worse."

It added that “most citizens express trust in the police and are confident that they take reports of gender-based violence seriously. But majorities are also critical of police conduct, including their perceived participation – at least sometimes – in criminal activities and their use of excessive force in dealing with protesters and suspected criminals.”

A majority of Namibians, 57%, were critical of government’s performance in reducing crime.

Only 42% believed the government was doing fairly well in this regard.

Problems encountered

A total of 29% of Namibians said they requested police assistance during the year prior to the survey being conducted, while 43% encountered police in other situations such as checkpoints, during identity checks, traffic stops, or during an investigation.

"Among citizens who asked for help from the police, 38% say it was difficult to get the police assistance they needed, and 18% say they had to pay a bribe."

It added that among those who encountered police in other situations, 19% said they had to pay a bribe to avoid problems.

Furthermore, 32% of Namibians said they viewed most or all police as corrupt, while 64% said they trust the police somewhat or a lot.

A majority of Namibians said they believe police officers engage in improper and even illegal activities.

Interactions

A total of 73% of citizens said the police at least sometimes use excessive force when dealing with suspected criminals, including 38% who said this happens often or always.

Meanwhile, 65% of respondents said the police engage in criminal activities, including 28% who said they think this is a frequent occurrence.

A further 28% of Namibians said the police routinely use excessive force in managing protests, in addition to 34% who said this happens only sometimes.

And more than half (55%) said the police “sometimes”, “often”, or “always” stop drivers without good reason.