21 Feb 2016

 A five-day Botswana Police Service (BPS) senior officers annual conference, which ended on February 19, has been described as a success.

The conference came up with a several resolutions to resolve or address some teething problems chief among them stock theft. The police therefore resolved to engage government to amend the Stock Theft Act. 

They intended to engage the Ministry of Agriculture to review measures around livestock security, including Botswana Animal Identification and Trace back System (BAITS).

The police said, being aware that butcheries remained a lucrative market for stolen stock, it was important that a recommendation be made to the licensing authorities to revoke licenses as and when a licensee was convicted of stock related offenses.   

The conference further acknowledged with concern the increase in incidences of rape and murder and after thorough analysis of the underlying causes which included substance abuse, the conference resolved to employ multi sectoral approach interventions.   

Recognising the disturbing incidents of road traffic accidents and deaths on public roads, the conference resolved to intensify road policing efforts to minimise the effects of leading risk factors such as alcohol-impairment driving, excessive speeding and reckless driving amongst the youth.

Concerned with increased cases of cybercrime and abuse of social media, the conference resolved to intensify cyber policing. Ends