10 Dec 2020

Botswana Police Service (BPS) acknowledges and appreciates that Special Constabulary is a valuable policing initiative that has increased police visibility on the ground, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security Mr Kagiso Mmusi has said.

In response to a question asked in Parliament, Mr Mmusi said the diversified role of special constables augmented regular police officers in the investigation of minor cases.

He explained that a total of 3 825 special constables had been enlisted into BPS as regular police officers since the appointment of special constables in 2004.

He said special constables were recruited subject to availability of posts, which determined the number to be employed considering their qualifications and other skills required to fill vacant pots within the BPS.

He said normally there were around 300 posts in a financial year.

He said officers who had a minimum qualification of BGCSE with 30 points and having at least obtained Grade C in English language or better, aged below 30 and having completed two years of continuous service were considered.

He said in 2013 the BPS took a decision to enhance enrolment of special constables into the organisation by enlisting officers who had served for a period of more than five years and reducing the entry point from 30 to 25 points, with Grade E in English language or better and increased enlistment age up to 35 years.

Furthermore, Mr Mmusi said he was aware that special constables who had attained 36 years had not undergone training.

He said it was with regret that there were no future plans to train and absorb them into regular police service since they were well above the maximum age of recruitment. He, however, said their contracts were renewed on the of their performance.

Mr Mmusi noted that police trainees had to undergo complete and intensive 12 months basic training at Botswana Police College.

The minister noted that age was a critical factor in the recruitment and selection of police recruits considering the intensity of training.

He said a total of 487 special constables were affected by this condition because of age, but their contracts were often renewed based on their performance.

Takatokwane MP, Mr Tshoganetso Leuwe had asked the minister if he was aware that some special constables had attained the age of 36 years before they could be trained and if there were any future plans for them to be absorbed into the public service. Ends