THE Police Service has embarked on an in-service training for its officers aimed at equipping offers with appropriate skills to enable them perform their duties so as to meet people’s expectations.

Speaking when he launched the programme, Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja said his command attaches great importance to training because it is the foundation of any functional system and a critical tool to enhancing proficiency and effectiveness in every organisation.

“I wish from the onset to announce that this program is not only commencing here at Lilayi but also in the other two police training schools and a total of 150 officers will undergo training during the initial refresher course in crowd management,” Kanganja said.

The I. G alos directed that all trainees should be imparted and exposed to similar skills in order to obtain standardized skills in handling and dealing with riotous behavior.

Kanganja said the training program will be ongoing and that his command will ensure that almost every police officer is exposed to the training.

Kanganja added that the training is also in preparation for policing of the 2021 general elections and beyond.

He added that government under President Edgar Lungu has acquired modern equipment in line with the United Nations Standards on Crowd Management.

“The assorted equipment and tools will help heighten operational efficiency in the police service as officers will now be able to swiftly respond to any form of crime. Further, the equipment will enable officers to proficiently police the 2021 general election,” said Kanganja.

POLICE in Choma District of Southern Province have launched a manhunt for a man who has allegedly murdered his wife using an axe.

The suspected identified as Wezzy Miyoba allegedly murdered his wife Harriet Singwama aged 41 of Sinkoli village in Chief Mapanza.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo has disclosed to Mwebantu in a statement that the incident happened yesterday between 19:20 hours and 19:30 hours at Sinkoli village after a marital dispute..

Katongo said the deceased sustained a deep cut on the right side of the head near the ear as an axe is alleged to have been used in the act.

She has appealed to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the suspect to report to any nearest police.

Katongo has also advised couples to always settle for amicable ways of sorting out their differences and avoid violence at all costs.

TWENTY people have been arrested in Solwezi in connection with the illegal mining of gold in the province.

And 16 illegal gold miners have since been arrested and charged for being possession of 1701.6 grams of suspected gold concentrates.

Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has told Mwebantu that on Monday, September 11, this year, police received a tip-off from members of the public who suspected some people to have been conducting illegal business from a house belonging to a man identified as Valeta Ramon.

She said when police officers visited the premise, they intercepted four motor vehicles which were being driven in or out of the premises.

Mrs Katongo said 16 illegal miners were further apprehended at different times with different grams of suspected gold concentrate while three other people were caught in the act of smelting the suspected gold concentrate.

“15 Gas cylinders, 13 kilograms of gold concentrate, 48 pieces of suspected pure gold weighing 242.12 grams, cash money amounting to K413, 520. 00, 3 by 20 litres of acid and two scales were recovered.

The total number of suspects arrested in the gold scandal is twenty. This includes the owner of the house who surrendered himself to the police”, Mrs Katongo said.

She said the value of the recovered suspected gold concentrate is yet to be ascertained.

Mrs Katongo said four people have since been charged with the offence of fraudulently dealing in minerals without a License while 16 others have been charged  with being  found in possession of property believed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.

She said all the suspects will appear in  court soon.