Patterns, Costs, and Implications of Police Abuse to Citizens’ Rights in the Republic of Zimbabwe

Ishmael Mugari,Emeka E Obioha

doi:10.3390/socsci7070116

Ishmael Mugari, Emeka E Obioha

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci7070116

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Abstract

The Police play a key role in maintaining law and order and safeguarding the security of the nation and its citizens. To enable them to discharge their constitutional mandate, they are entrusted with powers such as the power to arrest, detain, search, and to use force. However, police officers have often abused these powers with serious consequences on the image and operations of the organisation. The media is often inundated with news on unlawful arrests, arbitrary search and seizure, unlawful methods of investigations, and the excessive use of force. It is without a doubt that these incidences of abuse of powers and functions by the police come at a price. This study, a survey conducted with 91 respondents (83 members of public and 8 police officers) in 2 policing districts in Zimbabwe reveals wanton violation of human rights, police brutality, and the abuse of power which have resulted in both social and economic costs to the Police service and government of Zimbabwe through Civil suits against the police. Among other issues, training and decisiveness in dealing with the implicated police officers were viewed as the most effective ways for dealing with police abuse of power.

Highlights

The Police Service is an important arm of the government, charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of people, criminal investigations, and maintaining law and order.Of all governmental functions, the policing function is arguably the most visible and the most immediate, and the most intimately involved function with the well-being of individuals in communities (Skolnick 1999, p. 7)
Key findings to this study reveal that the police abuse of power has a significant impact on police public relations, with the loss of respect for the police, withdrawal of public support, fear of the police and the loss of lives or injuries to innocent civilians topping the list of implications of police abuse
The study (Table 1) revealed that police abuse of powers has a greatest implication on community policing and police-community relationship

Summary

Introduction

The Police Service is an important arm of the government, charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of people, criminal investigations, and maintaining law and order.Of all governmental functions, the policing function is arguably the most visible and the most immediate, and the most intimately involved function with the well-being of individuals in communities (Skolnick 1999, p. 7). The Police Service is an important arm of the government, charged with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of people, criminal investigations, and maintaining law and order. Regardless of the situations in which the police find themselves in, it is their duty to execute their powers and functions in accordance with the law, and with due respect to fundamental human rights. The vast powers that have been bestowed upon the police have created a breeding ground for police abuse of powers and functions. Most of the police powers, which are not available to ordinary citizens, have a bearing on the fundamental rights of citizens. These powers are clearly outlined in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, Chapter 9:07

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