Musamba urges police to remain professional, impartial

Inspector General of Police, Graphel Musamba, has urged police officers to remain professional, impartial and disciplined following the 2026 General Elections, saying the Service’s responsibility to protect citizens continues beyond the electoral period.

Musamba said the conclusion of the elections should allow the Zambia Police Service to refocus on its core responsibilities of fighting crime, protecting lives and property and upholding the rule of law.

“Crime does not pause when an election ends,” he said.

Addressing senior police officers at the Zambia Police Training College in Lusaka on Wednesday, Musamba directed officers to serve members of the public impartially and with integrity.

He said police authority should never be abused and stressed that respect for human rights, the Constitution and the law must guide officers in the execution of their duties.

Musamba said public confidence was one of the Police Service’s most important assets and urged officers to ensure that their conduct strengthened rather than undermined that confidence.

“Public confidence is one of our greatest assets, and every interaction with the public is an opportunity to earn and strengthen it,” he said.

The Inspector General also said the peaceful conduct of the elections should not be viewed as an achievement of the Police Service alone, but as a result of cooperation among various institutions and responsible participation by citizens.

He thanked members of the public for their cooperation during the electoral period, saying their respect for the law contributed to maintaining peace and national unity.

Musamba also recognised police officers who worked during the elections, saying many spent long hours away from their families while securing polling stations, election materials and maintaining public order.

“Through your discipline, professionalism and sacrifice, you helped protect lives and property, maintain public order, secure election materials and safeguard polling stations,” he said.

Looking ahead, Musamba said the Police Service would use lessons from the elections to strengthen community policing, improve information-sharing and deepen partnerships aimed at preventing crime and improving public confidence.

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