An investigation into the nature of corrupt cases police officers are involved in: a study of six (6) selected police stations and posts in Lusaka district.

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Date
2022-06-17
Authors
Chalwe, Nsama
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The Zambia police service just like many other public institutions has been engulfed in numerous corruption scandals. The ratings of public institutions as regards to corruption have slated the police service as the most corrupt public institution in the country. Therefore, this study investigated the nature of corruption cases police officers are involved in, in selected police stations and posts in Lusaka district. Using structured questionnaires, data was collected from forty three (43) police officers and fifty (50) members of the community in six (6) selected police stations and posts within Lusaka District of Lusaka province of Zambia and from the six (6) communities where these stations are located. According to the findings under the first specific objective, the forms of police corruption in Lusaka that existed to a great extent were bribery and extortion by the police officers standing at 94% followed by false traffic charges at 82%. Further under the second specific objective, it was submitted that reasons why police officers involve themselves in corruption included corrupt political leadership, unchecked Power and involvement in partisan politics amongst police officers which all stood at 94% level of agreement. The highest was lack of deterrence to corrupt practices amongst police officers (96%) while the least reason was family commitments which stood at 35%. Regarding the last objective, it was found that the practices to combat Police related to corruption included strong political will to reprimand reported corrupt police officers and the ability by the Anti-Corruption Commission to prosecute reported corrupt police officers. This would contribute to reduction of corrupt practices amongst police officers both with 100% affirmation. The other measure to combat police corruption was stiffening of institutional anticorruption strategies that would contribute to reduction of corrupt practices amongst police officers (97%). The study concludes that there is no doubt that corruption has a destructive influence on police operations and the confidence of the public in the service. In combating corruption, the initial step is to know its underlying causes. When the causes are determined, there is need for independent law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties to ensure punishment is meted out to the offenders which in turn would deter would be offenders. This however can only be achieved if there is strong political will. The study recommends that the government should be in the forefront in addressing corruption and that Political discipline is of great importance because leaders should lead by example. This would instil discipline in the police force and transform the police service into a clean and admired force.
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Keywords
Corruption--Police service. , Corruption cases--Home affairs. , Political discipline.
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