Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has told the University of Zambia that his command is working towards repositioning the service to make it more responsive to security needs.

And University of Zambia (UNZA) deputy vice chancellor Enala Mwase says the institution is keen to partner with public institutions to enhance knowledge, skills and institutional development.

Speaking in Lusaka during the signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote technical cooperation between UNZA and Zambia Police, Thursday, Kanganja said his command had prioritised training, among other strategies, as being key to providing quality services and ensuring that the country was safer and more secure.

He said the MoU signed was a significant step to enhancing the existing partnership between UNZA and Zambia Police, which would strengthen the partnership between the two institutions beyond the usual policing response to riotous student behaviour.

“This signing of MoU could not have come at a better time than this when my command is working towards repositioning of the service to make it more responsive to security needs of our time and also ensure the provision of quality services to our people. It is for this reason that my command has prioritised training, among other strategies, as being key to our quest to provide quality services and ensure that the country is safer and secure,” Kanganja said.

He further said the collaboration with UNZA will enhance police standing as a member of the International Police Academy (INTERPA).

“You may wish to know that, Zambia Police Service was admitted into the membership of the INTERPA at the 7th INTERPA Conference held in Doha, Qatar in April this year. I believe this collaboration with UNZA will further enhance our standing with INTERPA. This is because it has established a common platform for police training institution to boost the efficiency and effectiveness of police education and training at a global level,” said Kanganja.

And UNZA deputy vice chancellor Enala Mwase said the institution was keen to partnering with public institutions and enhancing knowledge, skills and institutional development.

“Sir, UNZA is keen to partner with public institutions such as yours to enhance knowledge, skills and institutional development. In this partnership, UNZA will be working with you to achieve your mandate through a series of innovative and transformational processes in research, teaching and learning, among others, and also to train highly-qualified personnel with unquestionable competencies in security management and law enforcement,” Mwase said.

She added that under the MoU, UNZA would launch training programmes for staff in the Zambia Police Service and other security sectors.

“Under the MoU signed, UNZA will launch training programmes for staff in the Zambia Police Service and other security sectors. The programmes will produce competent and innovative officers from the pool of staff of the Zambia Police Service,” said Mwase.