09 Aug 2015

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama was among thousands of people who thronged  New Lobatse Stadium to witness Botswana Police Service 131^st anniversary celebrations on Saturday (August 8).

Cabinet ministers, senior government officials, dikgosi, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and people from all walks of life who graced the event were treated to a pomp and fanfare by Botswana Police Service heart-throbbing display of might.

Having begun during colonial era around 1884, policing in Botswana has made great strides to date.

Not only has it had numerous change of names, BPS has grown in capacity and employed a high-level of professionalism to be at par with equally demanding challenges of modern-day policing.

Credit must also go to the fast tracking of the localisation programme that saw Mr Simon Hirschfeld appointed first Motswana Police Commissioner in 1971.

 It is this transition that has seen five Batswana being at the helm of BPS thus far.

On Saturday, men and women in uniform clad in immaculate ceremonial attire enthralled spectators with a display of activities among others sublime music and well calculated drills, defense techniques used in the fight against crime, athletics and many others.

In the tag of war competitions, BPS men and women teams showed their physical superiority over other teams to emerge overall winners respectively.

All these encapsulated BPS readiness to execute its mandate of protecting life and property, detection crime, repression internal disturbances and maintenance of security and public tranquility.

To Ngaka Moitlakgola, aged 16, memories of the day, in particular “Maneuvers” displayed by the dog and horse units will remain etched in his memories for some time.

The Lotlhakane East native and a form two student at Maraka Junior Secondary School, Ngaka cherished every moment and cannot wait for another display of sheer beauty by police next year.

Nine year old Alex Tsheole, a standard three pupil at Newlook Primary School in Lobatse, the festivities accorded him a chance to be sited in close proximity to his hero, President Khama.

Tsheole relayed to BOPA that he was also fascinated by camels, which are mostly used as a mode of transport by police in sandy areas like Kgalagadi.

To enthusiasts such as Ms Mmapula Maduwane from Gaborone, 44, Police Day brings about sheer happiness and entertainment for the rest of the family.

“Other than the fact that my husband is a police officer, I have always had a penchant for Police Day and have religiously been part of it on an annually basis,” she said.

The celebration is reinforcement to BPS vision to be a law enforcement agency of repute and provide dignified services worthy of honour. 

 

It also value its relationship with members of the community and treats customers with due respect at all times. Ends