Hatutaki Vitambi! Suluhu Orders Pot-Bellied Police Officers To Go Back To Training.

“As I was inspecting the parade, I noticed those leading the march were veteran officers and among them were big-bellied officers. I have seen big bellies. We are not supposed to have officers with big bellies!”

Just two months after sacking the country’s Inspector General of Police before dispatching him to Zimbabwe as an envoy, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu seems to be determined to restore order in the disciplinary forces.

While addressing the forces during completion of officers' training in Boma Kichaka, Mbia, she ordered those in question to head back to the camp for training to make them fit.

“They should come back here for training so that they shed them off and be swift again in executing their duties,” she added. She noted categorically, that in order for policemen to be effective at doing their jobs, they should not have big bellies.

Since taking office in March 2021, following the sudden death of president John Pombe Magufuli, President Suluhu has been instrumental in making significant police reforms, aimed at modernizing the Police Force and making it people-centred.

"Training is a very critical aspect. Because I know that in order for one to be promoted, he must go to training, is the training being done properly? Is lack of training another reason for what we see happening on our roads?" she asked.

The president has also established work performance systems by ensuring police officers get effective training.