Police impersonation increases

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKThe Namibian Police have recorded a significant increase in individuals pretending to be police officers for criminal purposes, but have ensured the public that they will do everything in their power to put an end to these types of incidents.Police spokesperson, deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, said the impersonations involved trading fake diamonds, forms of aggravated robberies and theft by false pretences.“It is a serious offence punishable by law and those found guilty of such an offence may be sentenced to a fine or to five years imprisonment or both. Not forgetting the additional charges of the crimes committed.”She warned would-be offenders to desist from such criminality.According to her, these incidents seem to be reappearing after a case of robbery with aggravating circumstances and impersonating a police officer was opened on 23 January at the Katutura Police Station.In this matter, a 27-year-old woman was attacked and robbed of her vehicle by three men wearing police uniforms, using a Nissan Tida vehicle with blue and red lights, conducting a roadblock on the B1 Road at the turnoff at Florence Nightingale Road.Shikwambi said the vehicle, a white Volkswagen Polo TSI, was later found at Goreangab; however, it had been stripped of its parts. No arrests have been made yet. Reputational damageThe incident caused damage to the image and the reputation of the police and is therefore condemned in the strongest sense, the spokesperson said.“A person who impersonates a police officer usually does so with the purpose of using such authority to commit offences. Such a person falsely pretends to be a member of the police by using a combination of techniques such as wearing any form of police clothing or uniform, which may include a uniform badge or anything that is designated to be worn by a police officer.”She added that a person can also impersonate a police officer by placing lights, logos or other equipment on a personal vehicle to masquerade as a police vehicle.“It has been recorded that these individuals also unlawfully use police officers’ lost items such as appointment certificates to enable them to be identified as police officers in various occasions.”Shikwambi said police policies require that a member of the police identify themselves through a police appointment certificate and added that the public should ask for this certificate.“Police officers will be in full uniform even when managing a checkpoint and, in most cases, a branded police vehicle will be in the area.”She further urged the public to always contact their local police stations or a known police officer to confirm the identification of a police officer. ellanie@namibiansun.com

Police impersonation increases

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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Police impersonation increases

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-15

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