The Zambia Police Service has for some time now been under attack from human rights organisations and individuals over the way they conduct their duties.

The police officers have been accused of being corrupt and brutal.

One senior police officer in Kabwe told the LRF News the different training they undergo brings about the problems in the police service.

He said there are mainly two types of training. The paramilitary training which is usually six months at MU (Military Unit)-Kamfinsa and Para (paramilitary)-Lilayi and the two years police training. The paramilitary training is mainly a physical training while the two years course involves issues of law.

The police officer, who refused to be named, said officers who undergo the paramilitary training are meant to work as guards protecting public institutions and border posts. They are also supposed to be used in times of riots.

He said there are many cases of police brutality because the paramilitary have been fused in the daily operations of police stations.

"Paras are taught to be brutal and they are brutal. They are usually ignorant on matters of the law, that is why they usually do things that are contrary to what the law says," he said.

The other issue he raised was one of uniforms. He said there are different types of uniforms meant for different units but currently there is no discipline on who wears what.

He said any police officer is wearing whatever is available making it difficult for the public to distinguish between them. He said the green with brown strips uniform is supposed to be worn by paramilitary and the khaki one by a trained police officer.

He also complained about the non-availability of nametags and man numbers on their uniforms. He said this was because they are given once in five years and since they are plastic, they easily break.

"The police service is underfunded that is why when a victim calls for help, the victim is asked to provide fuel or transport because the police is handicapped. The only way the police would help is by asking them to provide some thing," he said.

A police officer from Kanyama Police Post, who also refused to be named, supported the use of force by police officers. He said if the police did not use force, they would fail in their job.

"The police are there to protect society. If you do not use force, the criminals will never confess. If we fail to bring out evidence, we will be failing in our work. The same society would condemn us," he said.

He said police officers are allowed to use reasonable force in order to make suspects confess to crimes. "Article 12 (3) of the Zambian Constitution states that without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any other law with respect to the use of force in such cases: as are hereinafter mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this article if he dies as a result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably justifiable in the circumstances of the case:

(b) In order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained".

The police officer alleged this article allows police officers to use force even if the Inspector General (IG) of police has on several occasions made statements to the contrary.

Several police officers talked to attributed corruption amongst themselves to bad conditions of service. The officers said police officers work as volunteers because from what they get, they can not sustain their livelihood.

"Our job is a tempting one especially for those in the traffic department. Before you condemn us as being corrupt, ask yourselves why some of the officers are corrupt. Our salaries are so low such that we can barely survive," said one officer from town centre police post.