PRESIDENT Banda says he expects police officers to be hardworking, disciplined and loyal to Government in the discharge of their duties.

He said police officers should respect the rights of citizens in their discharge of duties.

Mr Banda said the constitution of Zambia provides for the Bill of Rights which includes the right to life.

The President was speaking in Lusaka yesterday during the passout parade of 589 trainee police constables at Lilayi Police College.

He reminded the graduands, of which 211 are women, to accord the same rights to both foreigners and Zambians as they both enjoyed the same rights under the Zambian constitution.

He said the Zambia Police Service is one of the security institutions that have contributed to the peace that the country is enjoying and in turn the growing number of investors coming into the country.

"I am happy that the Zambian people continue to enjoy peace and stability which are prerequisites for meaningful development," President Banda who is also Commander-In-Chief said.

He said Zambia has and continues to witness the growth of foreign investments, which can partly be attributed to the peace and stability prevailing in the country.

Mr Banda said investors will not risk their investments in a country where crime is rampant and that the graduands should be aware of the fact and their role in attracting investments.

He said the profession of being a police officer is highly challenging and requires hard work, sacrifice and discipline.

‘The Zambian people will be looking up to you for protection, guidance and assistance in many matters not only in security ones," he said.

Mr Banda said Government has resolved to improve the welfare of police officers because it is aware of the challenges that the institution faces.

The President directed Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde and his command to take advantage of programmes in the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) aimed at enhancing welfare of police officers.

Mr Banda said Government has bought some operational equipment which will soon be in the country.

He said the equipment includes water cannons and bullet-proof vests aimed at helping the service minimise the use of firearms, especially when dealing with public order such as riot control.

And Mr Kabonde warned the graduands against getting involved in active politics because the public expects professionalism when discharging duties.

"You must be neutral and loyal to the government of the day," he said.

Mr Kabonde said the officers are part of the 1,500 trainees recruited in August last year and that the other trainees are also expected to complete their courses at Kamfinsa of Public Order and Maintenance and at Geoffrey Mukuka paramilitary training school this month.

He said the passing out of the 1,500 recruits will increase manpower to over 14,000 police officers countrywide though the number is still inadequate considering the population of Zambia which is over 12 million.

Mr Kabonde said this means the ratio is one police officer to about 850 people when the internationally accepted standard ratio is one officer to 250 people.

He also appealed to government to allow the service recruit annually so that the number of police officers can rise to 27,000 by 2015.

Mr Kabonde said the police command will continue to be gender sensitive in future recruitments and promotions of women officers to decision making positions adding that currently there are 2,304 women officers against 12,678 men.

The occasion also included inspection of the parade and presentation of certificates to outstanding graduands by the President and drill demonstrations.

Namibian Inspector General of Police Lieutenant General Sebastine Ndeitunga and Chief Commissioner of Police from Angola Paulo De Almeida also graced the parade.