Malawi police officers told to stop “playing” on Whatsapp

Police officers in Malawi have been ordered to stop “playing” on Whatsapp when on duty and instead concentrate on offering security to civilians.

The country’s police Chief Lexten Kachama bemoaned the growing habit of “Whatsapping” amongst some law enforces while on duty.

“I am very worried about the young girls (young police officers) we are recruiting nowadays. These girls need to be counselled because some of them spend a lot of time on Whatsapp….. This must stop forthwith because it is creating a bad image for the service,” Kachama said.

He noted how shocked he was that some glue their eyes on Whatsapp messages even when they are assigned to be part of the security detail for the president. This shows “lack of professionalism” he said.

This criticism comes just few weeks after the police officers were advised to begin “behaving like dogs”, as part of mending their tarnished image.

Home Affairs Minister Grace Chiumia recently when she toured police headquarters urged police officers to be more professional by being loyal and disciplined the way police dogs are.

“I got very impressed by how the dogs behaved when I toured National Police Headquarters. Police dogs stand out among the rest courtesy of the training, loyalty and discipline; something I think you can apply and master in your various professional endeavors,” she said.