13 Nov 2017

Government will consider  improving the conditions of service for the Botswana Police Service (BPS), special constables included.

Answering a question in Parliament from MP for Gaborone North, Mr Haskins Nkaigwa, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said special constables’ efforts made so far include, increasing the enrollment age limit from 30 to 35 years under special dispensation, paid maternity leave and increase in contract period from six months to two years through police (special constables) Regulation 2015.

He said special constables were appointed in accordance with Section 43 of the Police Act and as a result, they have the same powers, privileges and protection and shall be liable to perform the same duties that are performed by any other police officer.

He said counselling services for members of the Botswana Police Service were provided by the Occupational Health and Safety Unit of the Botswana Police Service and those from the Social Welfare Department.

Minister Kgathi further stated that counselling included psycho-social and post-traumatic incidence, and ‘this continues for as long as one indicates signs of post traumatic effects’.

He said it was a requirement that all special constables must always have their arm bands at all times, adding that he was not aware of any special constable who was not compliant.

Minister Kgathi explained that in an endeavour to complement regular traffic officers, a decision was taken to train some of the special constables on traffic control and management, many of whom are deployed to control traffic flow at specialised areas.

He said salaries and conditions of service for special constables were considered alongside the rest of the Botswana Police Service, adding that it would not be advisable to review their conditions of service in isolation.

MP Nkaigwa had asked the minister to explain efforts made so far to review the conditions of service for special constables and why special constables were expected to perform duties of trained officers.

He had also wanted the minister to state whether special constables should perform functions such as to attend to armed robberies, suicide cases and autopsies and what counselling services were offered to such officers.

He had also asked the minister if he was aware that special constables control traffic during peak hours; and if so; why they had to take out their orange band identity during such exercises and whether it was allowed by law to control traffic without having prerequisite qualifications.

He also wanted to know when their salaries would be reviewed. BOPA