INSPECTOR General of Police Camilius Wambura has directed all Regional Police Commanders to immediately start implementing directives of the Criminal Justice Reform Commission to measure their performance.

He issued the directives yesterday here during an event to award medals to inspectors and other senior officers in the Lake Zone where he said the target is to make Tanzania Police Force among the best institutions in Africa.

He said instructions by top leaders of the government are to stop doing business as usual and work professionally by adhering to Police General Orders (PGO).

He directed all RPCs to fully cooperate with colleagues at lower levels to ensure that they regularly review the instructions of the Criminal Justice Reform Commission.

IGP Wambura said the government has continued to recognize the contribution of the police in maintaining order and security of the general public.

He said that the force had no promotion for a long time, saying this time the government decided to promote and award officers alongside employing new recruits.

He said major improvements have been made to transform police, including purchasing vehicles and other equipment.

IGP Wambura said the force was determined to ensure that it promotes peace and security in the country through law enforcement.

He said as a leader of the institution, he was concerned with complaints raised against police, including corruption allegations.

Among the complaints is the institution’s failure to prevent crime, the use of excessive force, delays in investigations of cases, acts of corruption, the suspects' property being lost while in police hands among others.

Some of the recommendations and instructions given by the commission to the Police Force include reforms to enable major improvements to eliminate existing operational defects.

 Other reforms suggested include the use of PGO which the commission said have been developed without considering the conditions and legal scope contained in section 7(2) of the Law of the Police Force and Auxiliary Services and other laws.

Some challenges in the PGO include investigation of controversial deaths, identification and parading of suspected criminals before being proven by the court of law.

Speaking on behalf of the officers who received the medals, Mwanza Regional Police Commander Wilbroad Mutafungwa said the medals will increase their morale, discipline and responsibility in their work and promised to continue to carry out their duties professionally.

Wambura presented medals to 32 officers from the Lake Zone on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to commemorate 60 years of the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, long service medal and good conduct.