By Staff Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has with immediate effect banned its officers from using cell phones whilst on duty.
The order was communicated in a memo, dated 31 October 2024, and issued by the officer commanding Masvingo Central district to all police stations in the province.
The officers were instructed to surrender their cell phones to the supervisor upon commencement of duty and only use them during their break time.
The memo also stated that any member found with a cell phone on duty would be reprimanded.
“Once a member is found with a cell phone whilst on duty, the officer in charge of the said member will be put to task. Upon commencement of duty, the Officer-in-Charge should take possession of the cell phones and lock them in the safe or cabinet.
This is said to be a way to enforce a no-mobile-phone policy for officers on duty.
“With immediate effect, no member is allowed to be in possession of a cell phone whilst on duty. Cell phones should only be used during break and lunch times.
“Despite numerous instructions given forbidding the use of cell phones whilst on duty by members of the Police Service, commanders are not enforcing this.
“All stations standard operation procedures should contain a clause governing the use of cell phones whilst on duty and members should acknowledge having read and understood the standard operation procedures.”